On to the big dance: Pepsi North America Cup elims in the books

MILTON, June 7, 2025 – Captain Optimistic, Lite Up The World, and Louprint roll into next Saturday’s prestigious $1 million Pepsi North America Cup (Grade 1) at Woodbine Mohawk Park in top-tier form after winning their respective $50,000 eliminations on Saturday evening.

If tonight’s performances are any indication of what’s to come on June 14, the 42nd edition of the premier event for three-year-old pacers is shaping up to be a classic.

In the opening Cup elimination, Joel And The Jets jetted to the lead heading into the first turn, followed by Fast Choice, Swingtown and Avanti, while Captain Optimistic, sent on his way as the even-money choice, was last of eight early. ​

Arriving at the opening panel in :26.1, Joel And The Jets then yielded the lead to Swingtown, who marched on after failing to find a spot along the pylons. The latter slowed the tempo and marched his rivals through a half in :56.0, but Captain Optimistic and pilot Dexter Dunn were on the move and making headway on the pacesetter.

On top by 1 ½ lengths after three quarters in 1:23.4, Swingtown gave way to Captain Optimistic, who struck front in early stretch. Joel And The Jets found a seam along the inside and attempted to reel in the leader but finished three-quarters of a length back at the wire. Swingtown held for third, while Fast Choice narrowly took fourth.

The final time was 1:50.2.

“I felt pretty confident going into the race,” said trainer Nancy Takter, a two-time NA Cup winner (Captain Crunch in 2019 and Tall Dark Stranger in 2020). “He’s had a really good week. Obviously, the tempo was kind of slow up to the half… and he had to come from far away. I was really happy with this performance tonight.”

Third in last year’s Metro Pace, Captain Optimistic is now two-for-three at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The son of Captaintreacherous won seven of his 11 two-year-old starts, along with a pair of seconds and a third, including a four-length romp in the Governor’s Cup in November. ​ The bay colt was second in his first start of 2025, a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes division on May 25.

“He was running in a lot in the turns, and we were losing a lot of momentum in some of the big races,” said Takter. “But he did put it together in the Governor’s Cup, which was the last start of the year. So, I was really happy going into his three-year-old season, that his last two-year-old race was so great.”

Captain Optimistic paid $4.30 for tonight’s win.

Owned by 3 Brothers Stables, Marvin Katz, and Caviart Farms, he was bred by Fair Winds Farm Inc.

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In the second elimination, the fast-paced festivities unfolded a few strides after the starter car sped away.

Several hopefuls tussled over early bragging rights as Crack Shot, 3-5 choice Sippinonsearoc and outsider Sterling Choice slugged it out into the first turn and through an opening panel in :26.1.

But the fireworks were only starting.

Sippinonsearoc took aim at the front after the first quarter, as Fallout picked up the chase, while Madden Oaks went three-wide and powered to the lead ahead of the half in :53.2. Lite Up The World, with James MacDonald at the controls, watched the proceedings unfold from last of eight.

Madden Oaks held a tenuous lead heading into the turn for home, but Sippinosearoc popped the pocket and held a slim advantage through three quarters in a brisk 1:21.1, setting up a compelling dash to the wire.

Lite Up The World, still sitting eighth straightening for the stretch drive, then began to meticulously pick off his rivals one-by-one en route to a 2 ½-length score in 1:48.3, punctuated by a final quarter in :26.0. Crack Shot dug in to finish second, while a game Madden Oaks hung on for third. Fallout was fourth.

“Last week, I thought I had a great horse, and just I was trying to do too much and put him in a bad spot, and didn’t get the job done,” said MacDonald, of a runner-up finish in the $81,500 second Somebeachsomewhere division. “And then tonight, it was such a competitive elim.

“I thought there were five, six or seven horses that could win it, so I was trying to just float and come with cover and hopefully they mixed it up. And I floated, but they were all leaving. There was nowhere for me to go, and I had to take back. I knew, once he got rolling, he went by one and he just took off. So, it was a good feeling.”

The bay son of American Ideal, bred by Steve Stewart, Paris, John Lengacher, and Minisink Farms, and owned by Mac & Carol Nichol, is now 5-2-0 from eight starts, including a 2-1-0 mark in four 2024 starts.

Trained by Anthony Beaton, Lite Up The World paid $18.30 for the victory.

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In the third elimination, it was Louprint for the win.

Sent off as the 1-2 choice, the Ron Burke trainee came into his latest test fashioning a perfect three-for-three mark in his sophomore season.

He had to work late to keep his unbeaten string intact.

Prince Hal Hanover fired out to the early lead, followed by Dandy Ideal, Making History and Louprint, who sat fourth through a single file opening quarter in :27.0.

Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. then had Louprint on the move as the son of Sweet Lou responded with a quick turn of foot to grab control before the half in :55.3 and kept the momentum going through three quarters in 1:23.0.

It appeared the brown colt was well on his way to a comfortable score, but Prince Hal Hanover and Dandy Ideal both came calling late.

At the wire, Louprint emerged a head in front of Prince Hal Hanover, with Dandy Ideal in third. The latter survived an inquiry after taking what appeared to be an awkward step or two nearing the half.

The final time was 1.49.1. ​

“It was closer than I wanted it to be, but he had the ear plugs in and he was really strong finishing, so I was happy with him tonight,” said Wrenn, Jr. “This horse is the best horse I’ve ever driven, and he’s a great horse to drive. And you know, I’m just enjoying it.”

Louprint won the Dan Patch Award last season as the top two-year-old colt pacer. He took seven of 10 starts, posting notable victories in the Breeders Crown and Kentucky Sires Stakes final.

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Phil Collura and Larry Karr, the homebred is 11-2-1 from 14 lifetime starts.

Louprint paid $3 for his latest success.

The top three finishers from each elimination, plus one fourth-place finisher, Fast Choice, who was drawn by lot, will contest the NA Cup Final.

The Post Position Draw will take place on Monday (June 9) at Woodbine Mohawk Park beginning at 5 p.m.

Chris Lomon, Woodbine Mohawk Park