Abuckabett Hanover, in rein to Andrew McCarthy, took top prize in the $100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup, a race that had a two-horse spill early in the stretch, on Saturday night (June 17) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Abuckabett Hanover, who was an impressive winner in his first start back as a five-year-old in late May, sat fifth through early opening fractions set by Billy Clyde, who took his rivals through an opening quarter reached in :26.2 followed by Wheels On Fire, Linedrive Hanover and Whichwaytothebeach. Billy Clyde continued to call the shots through a half in :54.3, but found himself under pressure to his outside by Linedrive Hanover around the turn for home.
Billy Clyde went off stride in early stretch, starting a chain reaction that affected Whichwaytothebeach and Wheels On Fire, causing their respective drivers, Travis Cullen and Doug McNair, to be unseated from their respective pacers. Abuckabett Hanover, trained by Andrew Harris, went on to post a 1-3/4-length score in a career-best time of 1:47.2. Tattoo Artist was second, Linedrive Hanover was third and Captain Kirk finished fourth.
The Gold Cup victory comes three weeks after a sensational performance by Abuckabett Hanover at The Meadowlands, a one-length triumph in 1:48.3 on May 27. It was the first start in over six months for the $160,000 yearling who sold online last October for $534,000.
Owned by Harris, William Pollock and Bruce Areman, Abuckabett Hanover, who went over the $1 million mark in earnings last year, is now 14-4-8 from 48 starts.
Abuckabett Hanover paid $9.60 for the win.
McNair, along with his mount Wheels On Fire, got onto their feet immediately following the incident and then walked off the track. Whichwaytothebeach unseated Cullen in the collision. They were the only two horses not to finish the race.
Initial reports from Woodbine Mohawk Park said Cullen was examined by paramedics following the incident and taken to hospital. He was replaced on his drive behind Im Offngone N in the Roses Are Red Stakes. Wheels On Fire and McNair were reported to be okay from the incident. Any updates will be reported when available.
The 2023 Pepsi North America Cup featured a stacked undercard with a number of stakes and open class events. Recaps of the evening's other stakes are available below:
- Its My Show Wins 40th Pepsi North America Cup
- Sylvia Hanover Stomps Foes In Fan Hanover
- Records In Roses Are Red For Grace Hill
- Southwind Coors Claims Goodtimes In Tight Finish
- Stockade Seelster Sizzles In NA Cup Consolation
- Refined Upsets Bella Bellini In Armbro Flight
- Warrawee Vital Matches All-Age Canadian Record
For the results from the 2023 Pepsi North America Cup night card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(with files from Woodbine)
Wheels On Fire
Wheels On Fire, who had only finished out of the money once in 14 prior starts this year, went off at odds of 74-1! When was the last time that that happened??!!