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Crunching The Cup – 2020 Edition

August 28, 2020

MILTON, August 28, 2020 – Get set for the 37th edition of the Pepsi North America Cup by filling your brain with as many stats and facts as you can to be the master of NA Cup trivia!

We present the 2020 edition of “Crunching The Cup”!

Pepsi North America Cup – Driver Appearances
Pepsi North America Cup – Trainer Appearances
Pepsi North America Cup – Fact Sheet

MOST WINS
Owner: Jeff Snyder (4)
– Cams Card Shark (’94), Red River Hanover (’02), Rocknroll Hanover (’05), Well Said (’09)
Trainer: Bill Robinson (4) – Precious Bunny (’91), Presidential Ball (’93), Cams Card Shark (’94), Red River Hanover (’02)
Driver: John Campbell (6) – Precious Bunny (’91), Cams Card Shark (’94), Davids Pass (’95), Arizona Jack (’96), Gothic Dream (’97), The Panderosa (’99)

TIMES
Fastest 1/4:
:25.1 – Warrawee Needy – 2012
:25.1 – Lyonssomewhere – 2014
:25.1 – Wiggle It Jiggleit – 2015
:25.2 – Buckeye Hanover – 1999
:25.2 – Peruvian Hanover – 2001

Fastest 1/2:
:52.1 – Downbytheseaside – 2017
:52.4 – Warrawee Needy – 2012
:52.4 – Workin Ona Mystery – 2019

Fastest 3/4:
1:19.3 – Downbytheseaside – 2017
1:20 – Workin Ona Mystery – 2019
1:20.2 – Fool Me Once – 2013

STAKES RECORD
Greenwood – 1:51, Presidential Ball – 1993
Woodbine – 1:48.4, Red River Hanover – 2002
Mohawk Park: 1:47.2, Captain Crunch – 2019

PAYOFFS
Highest Winner: $93.60
Goalie Jeff – 1989

Lowest Winner: $2.70
Jate Lobell – 1987 & Presidential Ball – 1993

Highest Place: $44
Twilight Bonfire – 2013

Highest Show: $15.50
Road Machine – 1990

Highest Exacta: $374.50
Straight Path – Workplace – 1998

Lowest Exacta: $8.10
Gothic Dream – Village Jasper – 1997

Highest Trifecta: $7,356.30
Straight Path-Workplace-Run To The Bank – 1998

Lowest Trifecta: $19.90
Fear The Dragon-Huntsville-Downbytheseaside – 2017

QUICK HITS
Worst Finish by Favourite:
9th  – Beach Towel (4-5) – 1990
Highest Closing Odds: 239-1 – King Gypsy – 1990 (finished 7th)
Lowest Purse: $357,900 – 1984
Highest Purse: $1,629,500 – 2004
Finals won by Elim Winners: 20 of 36  (55.5%)
Most Wins Entering Final:  21  –  Jate Lobell – 1987 (finished 1st)
Fewest Wins Entering Final: 1 – Cams Catch – 1995 (finished 5th) & Artriverderci – 2007 (finish 4th)

TOP WINNING SIRES
Cam Fella (4)
Goalie Jeff – 1989
Precious Bunny – 1991
Presidential Ball – 1993
Cams Card Shark – 1994

Western Hanover (4)
The Panderosa – 1999
Red River Hanover – 2002
Mantacular – 2004
Well Said – 2009

MOST EXPENSIVE WINNERS
300,000 – Yearling sale price of 2002 winner Red River Hanover
250,000 – Yearling sale price of 1999 winner The Panderosa
250,000 – Yearling sale price of 2013 winner Captaintreacherous
240,000 – Yearling sale price of 2009 winner Well Said

2020 STARTERS – YEARLING PRICES
Capt Midnight – $350,000 (Harrisburg)
Tall Dark Stranger – $330,000 (Lexington)
Captain Kirk – $200,000 (Lexington)
Allywag Hanover – $95,000 (Harrisburg)
Mayhem Hanover – $80,000 (Harrisburg)
Captain Barbossa – $70,000 (Lexington)
Odds On Osiris – $60,000 (Hoosier)
Denali Seelster – $34,000 (London)
Moneyman Hill – Homebred
Tattoo Artist – Private

THE METRO
6 – (of 31) Metro winners came back to win the Cup at three: Presidential Ball (1992/1993), Gothic Dream (1996/1997), Rocknroll Hanover (2004/2005), Somebeachsomewhere (2007/ 2008), Sportswriter (2009/2010), and Captaintreacherous (2012/2013).

BREEDERS CROWN
3 – Breeders Crown (2YO Colt Pace) winners came back to win the Cup at 3 (Bettors Delight did in 2000/2001, Well Said in 2008/2009 & Captain Crunch in 2018/2019)

GOVERNOR’S CUP
3 – Governor’s Cup winners have came back to win the Cup at 3 – Bettors Delight in 2000/2001, JK Endofanera in 2013/2014 and Captain Crunch in 2018/19.

O’BRIEN AWARD WINNERS
9
– Cup winners in the last 17 years went on to win the O’Brien Award at year-end (Betting Line, Wakizashi Hanover, Up The Credit, Well Said, Somebeachsomewhere, Tell All, Rocknroll Hanover, Bettors Delight and Gallo Blue Chip).

5 – O’Brien Award winners at age 2 came back to win the Cup at 3 (in the 31 years that an O’Brien has been awarded).  Presidential Ball did it in 1992/1993, Bettors Delight in 2000/2001, Somebeachsomewhere in 2007/2008 and Sportswriter in 2009/2010. Captaintreacherous won the O’Brien in 2012 and the Cup in 2013.

AIM HIGH
74 – Profit in dollars on a $2 win bet on each of the 131 Cup starters that were 25-1 or higher.  An investment of $262 would have returned $336 for a profit of $92.  The winners at 25-1 or higher were: Quite A Sensation ($63.50), Goalie Jeff ($93.60), Safely Kept ($63.70), Straight Path ($60.10), and Mantacular ($55.10).

ONTARIO SIRED
Betting Line in 2016 was the last Ontario Sired horse to win the Cup. The next Ontario Sired Cup winner was Somebeachsomewhere in 2008. This year’s race has four Ontario Sired starters (Mayhem Hanover, Tall Dark Stranger, Denali Seelster & Tattoo Artist).

SPEED RULES… BUT NOT IN THE CUP!
3 – (of 20) horses who set three-quarters in 1:23 or faster held on to win (Red River Hanover, Somebeachsomewhere and Sportswriter).
3 – (of 26) Cup winners at Wdb or Moh were leading at the quarter pole.  (Rocknroll Hanover and Cams Cardshark).
2 – Cup starters led at the 1/4 in :26 or faster AND WON. (Rocknroll Hanover, 25.4 – Captain Crunch, :26)

ELIMINATIONS
106 – Eliminations contested over 37 years (including 2020)
57 – Winning favourites from 106 eliminations (53.7%)
32 – Cup winners were less than 10-1 in their elimination
20 – Cup winners won their elimination (55.5%)

POST POSITION
PP1: 1 for 26
Cams Card Shark (1994, 1st at ¼)

PP2: 4 for 26
Wakizashi Hanover (2015, 2nd at ¼)
Up The Credit (2011, 4th at ¼)
Somebeachsomewhere (2008, 2nd at ¼)
Tell All (2007, 5th at ¼)

PP3: 3 for 26
Betting Line (2016, 5th at ¼)
Yankee Cruiser (2003, 7th at ¼)
Bettors Delight (2001, 2nd at ¼)

PP4: 3 for 26
Lather Up (2018, 2nd at ¼)
Fear The Dragon (2017, 6th at ¼)
Captaintreacherous (2013, 5th at ¼)

PP5: 6 for 26
Thinking Out Loud (2012, 7th at ¼)
Well Said (2009, 6th at ¼)
Total Truth (2006, 7th at ¼)
Rocknroll Hanover (2005, 1st at ¼)
Gothic Dream (1997, 5th at ¼)
Davids Pass (1995, 6th at ¼)

PP6: 4 for 26
Sportswriter (2010, 2nd at ¼)
Mantacular (2004, 8th at ¼)
Red River Hanover (2002, 5th at ¼)
Gallo Blue Chip (2000, 3rd at ¼)

PP7: 2 for 26
Straight Path (1998, 7th at ¼)
Arizona Jack (1996, 6th at ¼)

PP8: 1 for 26
Captain Crunch (2019, 1st at ¼)

PP9: 2 for 26
JK Endofanera (2014, 7th at ¼)
The Panderosa (1999, 5th at ¼)

PP10: 0 for 26
Post 10 starts from the 2nd tier this year for the first time ever at Woodbine or Mohawk.

WINNING TRIPS
16 – (of 26) Cup winners at Wdb or Moh came from BACK of 3rd at the 1/2
16 – (of 26) Cup winners at Wdb or Moh were parked at 3/4s
11 – (of 26) Cup winners at Wdb or Moh came from BACK of 3rd at 3/4s
8 – (of 26) Cup winners at Wdb or Moh came from BACK of 3rd at 7/8ths
6 – (of 10) Cup winners at Greenwood were on top at the 1/2
5 – (of 26) Cup winners at Wdb or Moh were leading at the 1/2
4 – Wire-to-wire winners (Staff Director, Jate Lobell, Precious Bunny and Rocknroll Hanover.  The first 3 were at Greenwood and only the latter was at Woodbine or Mohawk.)
4 – (of 20) horses who set three-quarters in 1:23 or faster held on to win (Red River Hanover, Somebeachsomewhere and Sportswriter).
3 – (of 26) Cup winners at Wdb or Moh were leading at the quarter.  (Captain Crunch, Rocknroll Hanover and Cams Card Shark).
1 – (of 26) Cup winners at Wdb or Moh went wire-to-wire. (Rocknroll Hanover).  Cams Card Shark led at the ¼ but was second at the ½, ¾ and stretch calls.  Captain Crunch led at the ¼ but was parked 3rd at the ½, 2nd at ¾ and took the lead in the stretch. Sportswriter was a parked-out 2nd at the 1/4, just a 1/4 length off early leader Kyle Major and thus not a true wire-to-wire winner.

FINISH MARGINS, ETC.
4-1/2 – Largest win margin (Bettors Delight over Hawaiian Cowboy)
3 – Cups have been decided by a nose (Quite A Sensation over Amity Chef, Jate Lobell over Frugal Gourmet, and Arizona Jack over Stout)
1 – Dead-Heat (Allamerican Native and Artesian tied for second in 2003)

DRIVERS
91 – Drivers have made at least one start in the Cup (final).
54 years, 11 months, 8 days – William ‘Bud’ Fritz’s age when he won the Cup with Apaches Fame in 1990 (Last trainer/driver AND oldest driver to win the Cup).
53 years, 11 months, 23 days – Cat Manzi’s age when he won the Cup with Mantacular in 2004
53 years, 0 months, 6 days – Ron Pierce’s age when he won the Cup with Well Said in 2009
52 years, 6 months, 7 days – David Miller’s age when he won the Cup with Fear The Dragon in 2017
51 years, 6 months, 6 days – David Miller’s age when he won the Cup with Betting Line in 2016
50 years, 6 months, 7 days – Mike Lachance’s age when he won the Cup with Bettors Delight in 2001
49 years, 11 months, 27 days – Ron Pierce’s age when won the Cup with Total Truth in 2006
48 years, 11 months, 5 days – Ron Waples’ age when he won the Cup with Presidential Ball in 1993
47 years, 6 months, 4 days  – Mike Lachance’s age when he won the Cup with Straight Path in 1998
46 years, 10 months, 16 days – Randy Waples’ age when he won the Cup with Thinking Out Loud in 2012
46 years, 4 months, 24 days – Brian Sears’ age when he won the Cup with JK Endofanera in 2014
45 years, 4 months, 16 days – Paul MacDonell’s age when he won the Cup with Somebeachsomewhere in 2008
44 years, 2 months, 18 days – John Campbell’s age when he won the Cup with The Panderosa in 1999
42 years, 2 months, 6 days – John Campbell’s age when he won the Cup with Gothic Dream in 1997
41 years, 6 months, 4 days – Mike Lachance’s age when he won the Cup with Safely Kept in 1992
41 years, 6 months, 2 days – Yves Filion’s age when he won the Cup with Runnymede Lobell in 1988
41 years, 2 months, 14 days – John Campbell’s age when he won the Cup with Arizona Jack in 1996
40 years, 2 months, 16 days – John Campbell’s age when he won the Cup with Davids Pass in 1995
39 years, 2 months, 17 days – John Campbell’s age when he won the Cup with Cams Card Shark in 1994
38 years, 11 months, 16 days – Dean Magee’s age when he won the Cup with Yankee Cruiser in 2003
38 years, 7 months, 28 days – Dave Wall’s age when he won the Cup with Staff Director in 1985 (trainer / driver)
37 years, 4 months, 28 days  – Brian Sears’ age when he won the Cup with Rocknroll Hanover in 2005
36 years, 11 months, 0 days – Luc Ouellette’s age when he won the Cup with Red River Hanover in 2002 Cup
36 years, 2 months, 14 days – John Campbell’s age when he won the Cup with Precious Bunny in 1991
35 years, 7 months, 1 days – John Hayes’ age when he won the Cup with Legal Notice in 1984 (trainer / driver)
34 years, 7 months, 12 days – Jody Jamieson’s age when he won the Cup with Up The Credit in 2011
33 years, 6 months, 29 days – Tim Tetrick’s age when he won the Cup with Wakizashi Hanover in 2015
31 years, 11 months, 18 days – Steve Condren’s age when he won the Cup with Goalie Jeff in 1989
31 years, 6 months, 24 days – Tim Tetrick’s age when he won with Captaintreacherous in 2013.
31 years, 6 months, 17 days – Mark MacDonald’s age when he won the Cup with Sportswriter in 2010
31 years, 0 months, 16 days – Dan Dube’s age when he won the Cup with Gallo Blue Chip in 2000
30 years, 7 months, 10 days – Jody Jamieson’s age when he won the Cup with Tell All in 2007
30 years, 4 months, 30 days – Mark O’Mara’s age when he won the Cup with Jate Lobell in 1987 (trainer / driver)
30 years, 0 months, 22 days – Scott Zeron’s age when he won the Cup with Captain Crunch in 2019.
30 years, 0 months, 9 days – Trevor Ritchie’s age when he won the Cup with Quite A Sensation in 1986.
27 years, 5 months, 14 days – Montrell Teague’s age when he won the Cup with Lather Up in 2018. Teague is the youngest driver to ever win the Cup.
25 – Different drivers have won the 36 Cups.
24 – Cups have been won by a Canadian-born driver.  While Mark O’Mara was the lone exception in the first 19 Cups, US-born drivers have won 6 of the last 7 Cups (D. Miller x2, Tetrick x2, Sears, Teague)
19 – Drivers have won a single Cup.
16 – Different winning drivers in the last 20 years. In that period, Brian Sears, Jody Jamieson, Ron Pierce and David Miller have won twice.
10 – Different drivers won the first 10 Cups.  All were raced at Greenwood.
9 – Most consecutive purse cheques won by John Campbell between 1986 – 1997 when he drove in 9 of 12 Cups
6 – Sets of fathers and sons have driven in separate Cups.  (Bill and Tom Haughton, Yves and Sylvain Filion, Ron and Randy Waples, Carl and Rod Allen, Carl and Jody Jamieson, and Rick and Scott Zeron)
5 – Drivers are undefeated in the Cup.  John Hayes, Yves Filion, William ‘Bud’ Fritz, Dean Magee, and Mark O’Mara all won with their first and only starter.
4 – Longest winning streak by a driver (John Campbell won in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997)
2 – Drivers have driven back-to-back 10th place finishers. Paul MacDonell was 10th with Rustler Hanover in 1998, didn’t drive in the 1999 final, and was 10th with Thunder Bay in 2000.  Jody Jamieson was 10th with Warrawee Needy in 2012 and Apprentice Hanover in 2013.
1 – Driver has finished 10th in three consecutive Cups. Yannick Gingras finished 10th with Captain Victorious, American History and Ocean Colony from 2017-19.
1 – Driver has driven back-to-back 100-1 shots.  Roger Mayotte drove Negotiable who was 9th at 106-1 in 1989 and Quake Tremor who was 8th at 109-1 in 1991.

TRAINERS
175 – Trainers will have made at least one start in the Cup (final) following this year’s race. Carmen Auciello and Melanie Wrenn are making their Cup debuts.
69 years, 1 month, 6 days – Joann Looney-King’s age when she won the Cup with Wakizashi Hanover in 2015. Joann is the oldest trainer to win the Cup.
61 years, 3 months, 11 days – Clyde Francis’ age when he won the Cup with Lather Up in 2018.
60 years, 6 months, 1 day – Carl Jamieson’s age when he won the Cup with Up The Credit in 2011.
59 years, 10 months, 5 days – Bob McIntosh’s age when he won the Cup with Thinking Out Loud in 2012
57 years, 5 months, 14 days – Larry Rathbone’s age when he won the Cup with Mantacular in 2004.
56 years, 6 months, 2 days – Tim Pinske’s age when he won the Cup with Yankee Cruiser in 2003
55 years, 9 months, 17 days – William Robinson’s age when he won the Cup with Red River Hanover in 2002
55 years, 7 months, 23 days – Steve Elliott’s age when won the Cup with Well Said in 2009
54 years, 11 months, 8 days – William ‘Bud’ Fritz’s age when he won the Cup with Apaches Fame in 1990 (Last trainer/driver to win the Cup)
52 years, 8 months , 21 days – Brian Brown’s age when won the Cup with Fear The Dragon in 2017
49 years, 7 months, 27 days – Brent MacGrath’s age when he won the Cup with Somebeachsomewhere in 2008
47 years, 9 months, 20 days – William Robinson’s age when he won the Cup with Cams Card Shark in 1994
46 years, 11 months, 1 days – Brett Pelling’s age when he won the Cup with Rocknroll Hanover in 2005
46 years, 9 months, 21 days – William Robinson’s age when he won the Cup with Presidential Ball in 1993
45 years, 10 months, 13 days – Tom Artandi’s age when he won the Cup with Goalie Jeff in 1989
45 years, 8 months, 20 days – Blair Burgess’ age when he won the Cup with Tell All in 2007
45 years, 0 months, 25 days – Alain Thomas’ age when he won the Cup with Runnymede Lobell in 1988
44 years, 11 months, 23 days – Brenda Teague’s age when she won the Cup with Total Truth in 2006
44 years, 9 months, 17 days – William Robinson’s age when he won the Cup with Precious Bunny in 1991
44 years, 7 months, 29 days – R. Claire Porter’s age when he won the Cup with Quite A Sensation in 1986
44 years, 7 months, 29 days  –  Ron Burke’s age when he won the Cup with JK Endofanera in 2014
44 years, 4 months, 11 days – Jack Darling’s age when he won the Cup with Gothic Dream in 1997
41 years, 0 months, 7 days – Tony Alagna’s age when he won the Cup with Captaintreacherous in 2013.
40 years, 11 months, 9 days – Brett Pelling’s age when he won the Cup with The Panderosa in 1999
38 years, 7 months, 28 days – Dave Wall’s age when he won the Cup with Staff Director in 1985 (trainer / driver)
37 years, 11 months, 22 days – Nancy Takter’s age when she won the Cup with Captain Crunch in 2019.
37 years, 9 months, 16 days – Scott McEneny’s age when he won the Cup with Bettors Delight in 2001
36 years, 11 months, 7 days – Brett Pelling’s age when he won the Cup with Davids Pass in 1995
36 years, 3 months, 26 days – Gary Machiz’s age when he won the Cup with Arizona Jack in 1996
36 years, 0 months, 15 days – Casie Coleman’s age when she won the Cup with Betting Line in 2016
35 years, 9 months, 3 days – Joe Holloway’s age when he won the Cup with Safely Kept in 1992
35 years, 7 months, 1 days – John Hayes’ age when he won the Cup with Legal Notice in 1984 (trainer / driver)
30 years, 4 months, 30 days – Mark O’Mara’s age when he won the Cup with Jate Lobell in 1987 (trainer / driver)
30 years, 0 months, 13 days – Casie Coleman’s age when she won the Cup with Sportswriter in 2010
29 years, 8 months, 12 days – Mark Ford’s age when he won the Cup with Gallo Blue Chip in 2000
23 years, 9 months, 24 days – Shawn Robinson’s age when he won the Cup with Straight Path in 1998.  Shawn Robinson is the youngest trainer to win the Cup.
20 – Different trainers have won the Cup in the past 21 years. Casie Coleman is the only trainer to repeat in that stretch (Sportswriter, 2010, and Betting Line, 2016)
17 – Years between purse cheques for trainer Blair Burgess when he was 3rd with Road Machine in 1990 and won with Tell All in 2007
17 – Trainers won with their first Cup starter (John Hayes with Legal Notice, Dave Wall with Staff Director; R. Claire Porter with Quite A Sensation; Mark O’Mara with Jate Lobell; Alain Thomas with Runnymede Lobell; William ‘Bud’ Fritz with Apaches Fame; William Robinson with Precious Bunny; Brett Pelling with Davids Pass; Gary Machiz with Arizona Jack; Jack Darling with Gothic Dream; Mark Ford with Gallo Blue Chip; Tim Pinske with Yankee Cruiser; Brenda Teague with Total Truth; Brent MacGrath with Somebeachsomewhere; and Tony Alagna with Captaintreacherous; Joann Looney King with Wakizashi Hanover, Brian Brown with Fear The Dragon & Nancy Takter with Captain Crunch.
11 – Trainers are undefeated in the Cup.  John Hayes, Dave Wall, R. Claire Porter, Alain Thomas, William ‘Bud’ Fritz, Mark O’Mara, Scott McEneny, Tim Pinske, Brent MacGrath, Joann Looney King & Nancy Takter.
8 – Most starts by a trainer without a win.  Stew Firlotte trainees finished 7th, 3rd, 8th, 5th, 4th, 5th, 7th and 9th.  Chris Ryder trainees finished 5th, 6th, 3rd, 2nd, 9th, 6th, 8th and 2nd.
8 – Female trainers with at least one Cup starter: Brenda Teague, Casie Coleman, Tracy Brainard, Robin Schadt, Joann Looney King, Stephanie Jamieson, Julie Miller & Nancy Takter). Melanie Wrenn will join the list in 2020.
7 – Trainers have picked up two cheques in the SAME year (Brenda Teauge, Casie Coleman, Brett Pelling, William Robinson, Bob McIntosh, Tony Alagna, Jimmy Takter & Brian Brown).
7 – Starters sent out by Bob McIntosh BEFORE he won with Thinking Out Loud in 2012.  That is the most of any trainer who HAS won the Cup.  However, two trainers have sent out more starters WITHOUT winning the Cup:  Chris Ryder (0/8), and Stew Firlotte (0/8).
3 – Cup winning trainers were NOT born in North America.  Brett Pelling was born in Matauro, New Zealand and trained winners Davids Pass, The Panderosa and Rocknroll Hanover.  Tom Artandi was born in Budapest, Hungary and trained Cup winner Goalie Jeff. Nancy Takter was born in Malmo, Sweden and trained Cup winner Captain Crunch.

BREEDERS
34 – Cup winners were bred by Americans.  Only Straight Path (A. M. Cuddy Stables, Strathroy, ON) and Apaches Fame (Robert Chapple, Chatham, ON) were bred by 100% Canadian interests.  Sombeachsomewhere, the 2008 winner, was Ontario-sired (Mach Three) but was bred by Stephanie Smith of Ohio.   Thinking Out Loud, the 2012 winner, was bred by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc., and Al McIntosh Holdings Inc., Ontario and CSX Stables, Ohio.
24 – ‘Hanover’ horses have started in the Cup:

  • Red River Hanover (1st)
  • Rocknroll Hanover (1st)
  • Walton Hanover (2nd)
  • Sutter Hanover (2nd)
  • Western Hanover (2nd)
  • Buckeye Hanover (3rd)
  • Peruvian Hanover (5th)
  • Tarpaulin Hanover (5th)
  • Cardmaster Hanover (6th)
  • Royalflush Hanover (6th)
  • Shadyshark Hanover (8th)
  • Heifetz Hanover (8th)
  • Domitian Hanover (8th)
  • Martini Hanover (8th)
  • Stagecraft Hanover (9th)
  • Klingon Hanover (10th)
  • Rustler Hanover (10th)
  • All Speed Hanover (10th)
  • Apprentice Hanover (10th)
  • Arque Hanover (7th)
  • Wakizashi Hanover (1st)
  • Big Top Hanover (7th)
  • Filibuster Hanover (8th)
  • Hayden Hanover (9th)
  • Aflame Hanover (4th)
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