Field set for 41st Pepsin North America Cup
At 0h03, on June 10, 2024 • By Mark McKelvie, Woodbine Communications
Captains Quarters, Funtime Bayama and Nijinsky captured Saturday night’s Pepsi North America Cup eliminations at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
A total of three $50,000 eliminations were contested on a rainy evening in Campbellville. The top-three finishers from each split punching their ticket to next Saturday’s $1 million final.
Metro Pace winner Captains Quarters converted off a perfect second-over trip to win the first elimination in 1:49.1 for driver Jody Jamieson and trainer Herb Holland.
Funtime Bayama edged Legendary Hanover in 1:50.1 to take the second Cup elimination.
Driven by Sylvain Filion, Funtime Bayama went forward as expected and got command at a :26.2 opening-quarter. Legendary Hanover quickly moved out from third and rushed to the lead in the second-quarter, posting clips of :55.3 and 1:23.1.
In the stretch, Funtime Bayama angled out to set up a stretch duel with Legendary Hanover, ultimately getting up on even terms in deep stretch and reaching up to win by a head.
Captain Luke was able to beat out Mirage Hanover for third.
Trained by Richard Moreau, Funtime Bayama improved his seasonal record to four wins from five starts and career record to eight wins in 12 starts for Bayama Farms.
“I was hoping to get covered up, which did happen, and I was pleased with the way he was relaxed,” said Filion. “He’s used to racing on the front, but he was pretty good in the hole, sitting good. And he came out of it pretty good when I moved him. I was real pleased with him.
“He means so much to all our family, to all the Filion family. They’re all cheering for him. It’s just an amazing thing right now.”
A gelded son of Hes Watching, Funtime Bayama has now made over $400,000. He paid $4 to win.
The third and final elimination saw Nijinsky continue his winning ways for driver Louis-Philippe Roy and trainer Anthony Beaton.
The $1 million Pepsi North America Cup is the main event on next Saturday’s (June 15) marquee night at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 6:30 p.m.
