SHOWTIME! It’s My Show held off Confederate to win an epic Pepsi North America Cup

June 18, 2023

Hunterton Born and Raised

Pepsi North America Cup Night at Woodbine Mohawk Park provided a plethora of highlights, led by It’s My Show’s victory in the 40th edition of Canada’s richest 3-year-old pacing event.

If we learned anything from the 40th edition of the Pepsi North America Cup it is to never underestimate the following: A Hall of Fame trainer with a rock-solid belief in her horse; a driver with golden hands, particularly when the pile of gold is highest; pedigree, pedigree, pedigree and the sometimes magical powers of the big snip.

Thanks to a crafty steer from Scott Zeron on Saturday (June 17) at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Richard and Joanne Young’s homebred It’s My Show — out of their $2.4-million winning mare Put On A Show — held off a prodigious late charge from Confederate to win the $1 million race for 3-year-old pacers by a head in a career-best 1:47.4.

The victory left It’s My Show, a gelded son of Sweet Lou, perfect in six starts in 2023 a year after the then fully-intact colt was winless in eight.

ForwinningtrainerLindaToscano,herfirstNACupvictorycame from never giving up on extracting the talent she knew It’s My Show possessed in spades, even if that extraction meant taking the pacer’s testicles.

“He’sanamazinghorse,”ToscanotoldtheWoodbinebroadcasting crew. “He disappointed me so much last year and at the end of the year I said, ‘Let’s castrate him. I can’t be this wrong about this horse.’ And he’s come back, and he’s been nothing less than perfect. When you can win these kinds of races, this is what you do it for.”

Toscano is the sixth woman in the last nine years to train a Pepsi North America Cup winner to go along with Joann Looney-King in 2015 (Wakizashi Hanover), Casie Coleman in 2016 (Linedrive Hanover), Nancy Takter in both 2019 and 2020 (Captain Crunch and Tall Dark Stranger, respectively) and Kathy Cecchin in 2021 (Desperate Man).

For Richard, who like Zeron is a native Canadian, it was one of his greatest triumphs in his home and native land. It also ended a four-year major stakes drought. The long-time Floridian’s last taste of the harness racing high life came in 2019 when It’s My Show’s half-brother Best In Show (sired by Bettors Delight and also trained by Toscano) won the Meadowlands Pace after finishing sixth in the NA Cup.

“It means a lot,” Richard said. “I’ve been in the business for 30 some-odd years. His brother won the Meadowlands Pace four years ago and he was in the North America Cup and finished sixth. I haven’t had a horse between them, so coming back and winning this one is almost like back-to-back. So, it feels really cool.”

For Zeron, it was his second Pepsi North America Cup triumph to go with the one he earned in 2019 with Captain Crunch.

“This is my favorite race,” Zeron said. “It always has been.”

It’s My Show, one of four NA Cup eliminations winners in one of the deepest finals in recent memory, started from post 2. Off the gate, it was Save America, with Yannick Gingras in the bike, who crossed over from post 9 to take an early lead as Zeron settled It’s My Show into second spot, followed by Cup elimination winners Christchurch and Fulton.

After marching the field through a brisk opening panel in :25.4, Save America was overtaken by It’s My Show who reached the half in :54.

“Well, the thing is my horse can leave faster than anything I’ve ever driven, and then at the same time I can calm him down if I ask him to,” Zeron said. “I was confident that I could start him up as hard as I did and was able to seat a bunch of horses. I knew Yannick would be leaving from a better angle from out there and honestly, to get away second was best case scenario for me. So, to be able to remove and control from there was great for me.”

Ahead by a 1 1⁄4 lengths through three-quarters in 1:20.4, It’s My Show looked to power away from the pack as a host of hopefuls soon set their sights on the pacesetter. Zeron called upon the gelding for his best as Fulton attempted to reel in the leader while fellow elimination winner and slight choice on the tote board Confederate began to make headway to the far outside.

It’s My Show was able to repel the fast-closing Confederate and Tim Tetrick. Fulton held third. Voukefalas was fourth.

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Show Me Your Ace wins Commonwealth at The Red Mile

July 27, 2025

Lexington, KY – On yet another sweltering Sunday evening infringed upon by some intriguing pop-up storms, The Red Mile hosted a preview of future stars of tomorrow as freshman pacing colts demonstrated their talents over the historic mile oval. Hunterton Sold Show Me Your Ace (Dunn), Hurrikanelouexiii (Andrew McCarthy) and Papi Rick (A. McCarthy) captured their respective divisions of the Kentucky Commonwealth Series by a head, neck and nose, respectively. Trained by Chris Ryder, Show Me Your Ace was the public’s second selection in the field of seven at odds of nearly 3-1. The son of American Ideal-Trip Aces Hanover is owned by his trainer, Anne Demers, Lawrence Minowitz and Ake Svanstedt. Bred by In The Dark Racing LLC, Show Me Your Ace broke his maiden in his first trip to the gate and has now earned $15,000. The colt was a $150,000 purchase at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Show Me Your Ace provided $7.78 to those who selected him on their tickets and stopped the clock in 1:52.2.

Fletchers Field wins Golden Rod at The Red Mile

July 27, 2025

Lexington, KY – On yet another sweltering Sunday evening infringed upon by some intriguing pop-up storms, The Red Mile hosted a preview of future stars of tomorrow as freshman pacing colts demonstrated their talents over the historic mile oval. Hunterton Born & Sold Fletchers Field (Geremy Bobbitt) was the only non-favored horse to win his Golden Rod division in 1:52.3. He is trained by Rodney De Beck and owned by his trainer with Randy Donahue. The son of Tall Dark Stranger -Coronet paid $9.94 to win.

Seaside Angel wins Buckeye Stallion Series division at Northfield

July 23, 2025

There were five $27,397 Buckeye Stallion Series divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies at Northfield Park. Queen Valerie (1:57; $4.60) kicked off the winners for driver Chris Page and trainer Ron Burke, Hunterton Sold Seaside Angel (1:55.1; $4.80) then connected for Page and a different Ron -- trainer Ron Steck. Rhodena Blue (1:57; $16.80) was the longest priced winner of the group with Aaron Merriman up for trainer Neil MacInnis. Lil Keisha (1:57.1; $5.60) provided a double in BSS action for Page and Burke, with the stakes divisions capped by Eyes Up in the fastest split (1:54.4; $2.40) for driver Dan Noble and trainer Deborah Swartz.

Vic Zelenskyy sparkles at The Red Mile

July 22, 2025

Lexington, KY — On Tuesday (July 22), The Red Mile conducted two $35,000 first round legs of the Kentucky Sire Stakes Series for older male and female trotters. Vic Zelenskyy returned from a vacation as a victor and Black Velvet As collected her second consecutive triumph in sire stakes company. The impeccably bred ( Hunterton Born & Sold) Vic Zelenskyy ( Greenshoe -Mission Brief) has experienced trouble staying flat throughout his career yet demonstrated his affinity for the red clay with his fifth triumph over the Lexington oval. With Dexter Dunn at the controls for conditioner Marcus Melander, the stallion commenced trotting from post position five as Bargain (Marvin Luna) took control out of the gate from post position seven through a first quarter in :28.1. Dunn, however, decided it was time to place Vic Zelenskyy in command prior to a half in :56.1. The stallion never relinquished that position through three-quarters in 1:24.2 and hit the line in 1:51. Bargain came on again with a drive in the lane, but Vic Zelenskyy was best. Mister Dad (David Miller) rounded out the trifecta. Sent off as the favorite in the field of eight, the stallion is owned by S R F Stable as well as Holly Lane Stud East LTD. He was bred by Mission Brief Stable. Vic Zelenskyy was a $550,000 purchase at the 2022 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and is the first foal out of world champion Mission Brief’s five offspring of racing age to break the $100,000 barrier after today’s win. The 4-year-old’s stallion’s record now stands at 15-6-2 and he has banked $113,510. He last competed in the 2024 Breeders Crown elimination where he broke in the final, but he did win an elimination of last year’s Kentucky Futurity. Vic Zelenskyy paid $5.14 to his supporters.

Peace Talks wins Kentucky Sire Stakes at The Red Mile

July 21, 2025

On Monday (July 21) The Red Mile hosted two $35,000 first legs of the Kentucky Sire Stakes for 4-year-olds and older for male and female pacers. Hunterton Bred, Born & Sold Peace Talks (Dunn) was content to allow heavily favored Bath Bomb (Andrew McCarthy) to lead the way right from the gate. Dunn sat in the garden spot while Bath Bomb reeled off splits of :27.3, :56.1 and 1:23.3 but he and his horse were prepared to pounce and did exactly that heading around the final turn. Bath Bomb offered some resistance, but Peace Talks would not be denied and came home in a brisk :25.4. The daughter of American Ideal-Triple V Hanover stopped the clock in 1:49.3. Bath Bomb held second and Capytreach (Andy Miller), the longest shot in the field of five at 32-1, came on late to snatch the show spot. Trained by Chris Ryder, Peace Talks is owned by Henderson Farms, Fac Racing LLC and Robert Mondillo. The mare paid $9.64 for her efforts. Peace Talks was bred by Donald Robinson, Michael Robinson, Steve Stewart and James Daut. The mare improved her resume to 40-5-10-11. This was her first triumph of the season from 12 trips to the post. Her time was a new lifetime mark. Peace Talks has collected the most purse money from her dam’s six foals with $536,329 in the bank. She is half-sibling to Fulsome ( Betting Line , $302,399) and Vici (Lazarus N, $327,261). The mare was a $87,000 purchase at the 2021 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.

Jasper Hill wins $25,000 Grassroots division at Woodbine

July 21, 2025

Two-year-old pacing colts stepped into the spotlight with a trio of $25,000 Grassroots divisions at Woodbine Mohawk Park on July 21. Trainer Anthony Beaton picked up victories in a pair of Grassroots divisions, with Hunterton Born Jasper Hill overcoming post ten to score first-over in 1:54.1. Tom Hill's homebred son of Cattlewash-Pretty Katherine was driven to his first career victory in his second outing by Doug McNair as the even-money favourite.

Royal Captain Sets Sail In Millard Farms At Mohawk

July 21, 2025

Woodbine Mohawk Park played host to a pair of $20,000 divisions of the first leg of the Millard Farms Series for two-year-old trotters on Monday (July 21) seeing Hunterton Born and Sold Royal Captain cruise in 1:54.4 to stay perfect in his young career and Halton Hill breaking his maiden in 1:58.3 as the 1-2 choice in the second split. Royal Captain and driver Tyler Jones made quick work of the outside post seven, blitzing to the top and trotting three-lengths clear to the quarter pole in a quick :27.1. Royal Captain remained a loose leader to the half in :57.1 over pocket-sitter Tymal Starstruck (Doug McNair) while Captain Code (Scott Young) advanced into third first-up. Captain Code continued to march to the leader's wheel on the final turn, with Royal Captain reaching three-quarters first in 1:26.3. Under confident Jones handling, Royal Captain remained just out of reach in the lane of both Captain Code and Tymal Starstruck, reaching the wire a length clear in 1:54.4. Captain Code edged out Tymal Starstruck by three parts of a length to be second. Trained by Dustin Jones, the winning son of Captain Corey-You Will Be Queen is now two-for-two to start his career. Bred by Dustin Jones Stables and Hebert Horses Inc., Royal Captain has bagged $18,000 for owners Royal Captain Group.

‘Tillie’ tough in Geers at Big M

July 19, 2025

East Rutherford, NJ — Hunterton Sold Yo Tillie maintained her current standing as the top horse in her division as a Hambletonian contender Saturday night at The Meadowlands when four divisions of the Tompkins-Geers Stake were contested for 3-year-old trotters of each sex. Yo Tillie remained unbeaten in four tries this season after displaying an awesome closing kick rather than the dazzling early speed she showed in each of her first three starts this year. “Her last couple of starts she’s been awesome,” said winning driver Todd McCarthy. “I’ve been racing her pretty aggressively and that was kind of the plan for tonight, but she’s come back so smart this year and she’s learned how to settle in. It’s an advantage when you can race them like that.” The daughter of Tactical Landing -Consolidator raced in fourth past the five-eighths in the $37,125 first dash for fillies, then moved to the outside on the far turn before unleashing a powerhouse final quarter of :26.3 to win by 3½ lengths over R Charm in 1:52.3. Jersey Slide was third. “I knew when I tipped and asked her that she would give me a pretty good last quarter,” said McCarthy. Not eligible for the Hambletonian Oaks, Yo Tillie, who returned $2.10 to win as the 1-9 favorite, is being pointed toward the Kentucky Filly Futurity and Breeders Crown, among other stakes events this year, according to trainer Andrew Harris.

Onajetplane wins the Tompkins-Geers Stake

July 18, 2025

Hunterton Sold Onajetplane threw his hat into the ring as a Hambletonian contender Saturday night at The Meadowlands when four divisions of the Tompkins-Geers Stake were contested for 3-year-old trotters of each sex. Onajetplane used a quick brush to command down the backstretch to secure the top just after the half and then had to hold off a late-charging Hey Porter to take the first division for colts and geldings – which went for a purse of $39,125 – by a head in a lifetime-best equaling 1:52.1. Warrior was third. “He doesn’t love being in front, he starts looking around a little,” said winning driver Andy McCarthy. “He got to wondering a little but once Scottie [Zeron, driving Hey Porter] came to us, he got back to business.” In the opinion of his driver, the son of Walner -Noble Lover is a Hambletonian contender. “This horse is good enough [to compete in the Hambo]. He needs a good draw and a good trip and he’ll be right there.” As the 4-5 public choice, Onajetplane, a Noel Daley trainee, paid $3.60 to win.

No Better Air Stars In Grassroots At Mohawk

July 18, 2025

Hunterton Born and Sold No Better Air was one of four Cattlewash freshman pacing filly winners in Ontario Sires Stakes action on Friday night, July 18 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Congratulations to owners Andrea Lea Racingstables Inc, Scott McEneny and Carlisle-Aristi Varsakis, trainer Scott McEneny and driver Trevor Henry.