Woodbine Mohawk Park: Lather Up washes away sting of 2015 for his connections by capturing Pepsi North America Cup

After finishing second in 2015 with Wiggle It Jiggleit, redemption was sweet for Montrell Teague, the Teague Family, and trainer Clyde Francis as Lather Up poured it on in the lane in tonight's edition of the C$1 million event for 3-year-old pacing colts at Woodbine Mohawk Park, thundering away to a 1:48 1/5 victory.

Starting from post four, Lather Up and Montrell Teague were away very quickly, and battled with Done Well (Tim Tetrick) to the opening quarter in 26 3/5. After Done Well cleared, it was an immediate re-take for Lather Up, and he would go on to hit the half in 54 1/5.

"I looked over to the right, and there weren't too many leaving except for one," said Teague about the early stages of the race. "I knew I could get in front of the other ones on the inside. It shook out good. Timmy came, I knew was just going to keep on coming because he wanted a two-hole trip. Once he got by me I pulled right back out and he let me go fairly easy. It worked out to my advantage."

Post eight starter Nutcracker Sweet (David Miller) had been unable to find a seat, and so he was going on a long mile on the outside first-up. Despite that rough journey, he advanced into contention past the half, and he was only a length behind Lather Up at three-quarters, which went in 1:21 3/5. Done Well was still waiting in the pocket at that point, with Stay Hungry (Doug McNair) positioned perfectly second-over.

Spinning off the final turn Lather Up looked strong, and he showed that strength through the lane, as Teague popped the plugs and Lather Up found another gear, opening up to win by 3 1/4 lengths. Done Well held second, with Lost In Time (Scott Zeron), who had been tenth and last at the half, flashing home well on the far outside for third. Stay Hungry was fourth, and Wes Delight (Corey Callahan) was the fifth-place finisher.

"It took me about halfway through the stretch right here because I didn't want to take off too fast and have Timmy pull out and beat me again (Tetrick beat the Teague-driven Wiggle It Jiggleit with Wakizashi Hanover in 2015)," finished Teague. "I waited to pop the earplugs, and once I popped the earplugs, he exploded like he's supposed to. He's a great horse."

"I got in a good spot without using him too much and I knew I was following a good horse," Tetrick said about his second-place finish. "Montrell kept it rolling, and I just couldn't keep up with him. My horse was second-best."

Francis trains Lather Up, an I'm Gorgeous colt, for owners/breeders Gary and Barbara Iles. Lather Up has ten wins, one second-place finish, and one third-place effort from 13 career starts, and he has now earned C$667,100. He was the 3-5 public choice and returned $3.20 to win.Derick GiwnerLather Up's connections were all smiles

"I thought I was going to win it a couple of years ago with Wiggle It Jiggleit, but that didn't work out too good," said Francis about whether he ever thought he train the North America Cup winner. "With Wiggles it was a little different. He was doing things that normal horses didn't do. Then this guy came along and we just thought he would be competitive, but he came in and dominated. He's just a little ol' homebred."

This was the Teague Family's second North America Cup triumph, joining their 2006 victory with Total Truth.

"We have a good routine that keeps us back in the game, even with horses that people think are mediocre. That's how we've played it for 20 years," said George Teague Jr. "I'm Gorgeous was a little underrated and never had a chance to truly be a stallion. You have to wonder how many horses like this never get the chance to become a stallion due to lack of opportunity."

Lather Up is scheduled to compete in the Max Hempt Memorial at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, which has eliminations next week. He is eligible for everything except the Meadowlands Pace and the Breeders Crown.

"He tells people I'm like his brother, we've been together so long," said Francis about his relationship with Teague. "I've been there with him through thick and thin all the way back to the Rainbow Blue days. He doesn't come around much anymore, and it is very seldom you even see him at the track. He has a lot of confidence in me."

While Lather Up's breeding may not jump right off the page, he is the seventh $250,000+ earner for his dam, the In The Pocket mare Pocket Comb. Lather Up was her last foal, as she passed away in 2017 at the age of 23.

"To come up here and even be involved in it, you have to be blessed, at least I feel you do," remarked Gary Iles. "To come away with the win, it doesn't get better than this."