Harness: Finding a spot on the calendar for the 2020 North America Cup

We learned last week that the C$1 million North America Cup would not be contested on June 20 at Woodbine Mohawk Park as expected. With that cold hard reality now on the table, we are left to ponder: What is a good spot on the crowded stakes calendar for this marquee race for 3-year-old pacers?

Starting with the assumption that track officials have no interest in a late November or December event when on-track attendance (assuming fans are permitted) could struggle, I combed the stakes landscape looking for the best possible date for the 2020 NA Cup. It was no easy task trying to find a date that made sense while also not conflicting with too many other races. Then it hit me – August 29.

First off, yes, the connections of horses are going to have to make some decisions in 2020 and having eliminations for the NA Cup on August 22 with a final on the 29th will only emphasize that fact. That said, almost none of the potential eligible horses will have to miss a major Grand Circuit race to compete in the NA Cup.

Looking at the calendar for elimination weekend, the conflicts in the division include a round of Sire Stakes races in Pennsylvania and Ohio, along with the final of the Empire Breeders Classic on August 23. While the EBC goes for a healthy purse in the $200,000 to $300,000 range, as a New York-bred race, most of the NA Cup eligible horses wouldn’t be able to compete anyway.

On the weekend of the proposed new date for the NA Cup final, the two conflicts include a leg of the Kentucky Sire Stakes on September 1 and the eliminations for the MGM Messenger at Yonkers Raceway on August 29. Obviously going head-to-head with a Triple Crown race isn't ideal, but when you consider that expected top 3-year-olds Elver Hanover and Papi Rob Hanover are not even eligible to the Messenger and there are 33 others who can race in the NA Cup but not the Messenger, the schedule clash seems less of a big deal. Additionally, only 10 horses can compete in the NA Cup final. Every other horse which got eliminated on August 22 can certainly race in the Messenger elims on August 29.

The NA Cup placement on August 22/29 is also perfect because it creates a circuit of races depending on the size track each horse prefers. If you like a big track, there is the Cane Pace on August 8 at The Meadowlands followed by the NA Cup on August 22/29. If your horse is more of a half-mile performer, there is the Milstein at Northfield Park on August 15 followed by the Messenger at Yonkers on the 29th and September 5.

Another prime reason for the August 29 final date is Mohawk’s current schedule. The track typically ramps up its stakes schedule during the third week of August. The North America Cup final would automatically join two solid races for 2-year-olds in the Eternal Camnation (fillies) and Nassagaweya (open) on the card. Officials could easily move the Roses R Red final from June 20 to that date as well since there are no conflicts in the older mare pacing division at that time.

Some of the other stakes originally scheduled either on June 20 or during that month will need to be placed elsewhere, while others probably should be canceled for 2020 altogether. The Somebeachsomewhere works nicely as a prep for the NA Cup in June. It really has no good home with the race charted for later in the year. The Mohawk Gold Cup for older pacers seems like a nice fit on the August 22 NA Cup elim card. It will fill a void left by the Prix d'ete (Aug. 23) for 4-year-olds which was already canceled by Trois Rivieres.

I'm not sure where to place the Goodtimes for 3-year-old trotters or the Fan Hanover for 3-year-old filly pacers. Those might be best placed at the start of December as one final chance for the 3-year-olds to earn before winter vacation.

Finally, the Armbro Flight for older mare trotters also needs a home and perhaps the best fit is for The Meadowlands to swap the fourth leg of the Miss Versatility series on August 28 for the 1st leg scheduled on May 29 at Woodbine Mohawk Park (assuming The Meadowlands is open by then). Then the fourth leg of the series could be cancelled and the Armbro Flight could go with eliminations on August 22 and a final on the 29th to fall in line with the North America Cup.

Admittedly, I have no input in the decision-making process, but that is my plan . . . unless COVID-19 and the associated closures run well into June and July. In that case, it will be back to the drawing board. Maybe that scenario will result in stakes season running through the winter and ending in 2021. It wasn’t the plan, but it would be interesting!