The beauty of racing is that on any given day a horse can come out of nowhere and surprise. For all the time and effort that goes into developing a horse for competition, there is always the unknown of what will happen when the lights are shining bright and everything is on the line. In this sport often plans are made and need to be changed in a second to achieve the best outcome. Drivers must not only react to what's in front of them with four legs, but what's happening with the competition and the pace of the race. Trainer Cameron Capone and driver Braxten Boyd had plenty of time to go over strategy as the two drove north from the U.S. to Woodbine Mohawk Park in Canada last week for the North America Cup. Madden Oaks, a lightly-raced son of Huntsville, drew outside in one of three elimination races and was an outsider looking for a way to reach the C$1 million final. "We drove up together," said Capone. "We talked about all the outcomes we thought possible. But none of them looked like what happened." What happened to Madden Oaks and specifically driver Boyd was a potential nightmare scenario that in the end proved Boyd's driving ability and showcased a horse with enough talent to overcome even the worst of times and still battle fiercely to the wire. Madden Oaks earned a berth in Saturday's (June 14) final at Woodbine Mohawk Park and will likely go in representing the youngest trainer-driver combination in the rich race's history. Both 25 year-olds will be making their first start in the North America Cup final with a ton of optimism and a horse that may be peaking at just the right time. Boyd was more than impressed with Madden Oaks following an elimination that saw him three-wide shortly past the quarter and making a blistering move to the lead in the fastest half-mile of the three elimination heats. "I went into the race and had no problems racing him from behind," said Boyd. "I knew that Yannick (Gingras- Sippinonsearoc) and Tim (Tetrick-Fallout) would be going out of there, and that there would be enough pace. Going into the first turn he took a hold of me, but I was able to get him back and go up to follow Tim." With position behind one of the favorites and last year's Metro champion, Boyd appeared to be following the right horse. Sippinonsearoc had made the front in 26 1/5 and Fallout was in the second lane and making progress. "Then he took hold of me again," said Boyd. "And I had no choice but to move him." ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter Madden Oaks would circle the field, making a second quarter move that is most times reserved for the stretch run, and reach the half in 53 2/5. Suddenly, he appeared to be in more danger than he was at first, with the favorite creeping down his back and a host of closers ready to take advantage of the hot pace. Madden Oaks was in unfamiliar territory, racing against the best field he'd faced in just his seventh lifetime start. "When Yannick pulled he just swelled right up again," said Boyd, describing the response Madden Oaks had when put under pressure by race favorite Sippinonsearoc prior to the 1:21 1/5 three-quarters. Madden Oaks would battle hard through the stretch, fighting horses to his right most of the way. Race winner Lite Up The World circled the field with a single-quarter sprint to win the race, a scenario that perhaps Boyd and Capone had conjured would befell their horse. Crack Shot came along the pylons to squeeze in for second after enjoying the best of trips. "That was a rookie mistake," said Boyd of allowing a rival to pass on the left with so much on the line. Closing in on 1,300 career victories, Boyd is more than appreciative of the moment. "It's been a lot of hard work to get to this point, and these are the kind of races you want to get in to," Boyd said. "I know there are a lot of talented horses in the field. I'm not sure if any have the kind of speed I saw from him in the second quarter." For his part, Capone was delighted with the performance and the way Madden Oaks came out of the race. "He came out of it well. He was resting in his stall the next day but that's just the way he is. He takes good care of himself," said Capone. While few on the national stage knew Madden Oaks prior to this past weekend, the colt was a $50,000 Harrisburg yearling purchase with Cameron and his dad Mark, a longtime veteran trainer who sent out the 2003 North America Cup favorite Allamerican Native to a second-place finish behind Yankee Cruiser that year, looking for New York-sired pacers. "We had a budget," said Capone, recalling the moment. "There was a filly on our list that didn't go for much money, but my dad wanted to wait on this one (Madden Oaks) because he really loved the way he looked." Madden Oaks was a big horse and tested his connections, unable to make his first scheduled qualifying start due to hitting a race bike that was far too small for his comfort. There were just three starts as a freshman, with Capone hoping to minimize the races while preparing for the biggest ones. Madden Oaks was scheduled to race in last year's Breeders Crown eliminations but that didn't happen. "The state vet scratched him," said Capone. "That was probably a blessing in disguise." It's hard to say how Madden Oaks would have done as an inexperienced 2-year-old racing at the top level last October. What's apparent following his elimination performance is that he belongs in this company and can have a say in the outcome. "We don't want to race him too often but have him ready for the big stakes," said Capone. Madden Oaks landed post 10 on the outside of Saturday's strong North America Cup field (race 11). He'll sacrifice starting position, with the three elimination winners - Louprint, Lite Up The World and Captain Optimistic - midway on the starting gate from posts four, five and six, respectively. For Boyd there is hope that last week's issues were perhaps a one-time event. "Matt (Kakaley) took him off the gate in the Somebeachsomewhere and he was fine," Boyd said. "I think maybe last week he got a bit excited second time on the big track and under the lights." Though the post makes Madden Oaks an obvious outsider in the field, Boyd is hoping that the elimination experience will be a net positive for the horse. "Sometimes after blowing out a mile like that it's easier for them the second time they have to go that speed," said Boyd. Madden Oaks may have a pedigree that appears a bit light on the surface, but there's plenty of speed and determination in proximity on the maternal line. Specifically, Madden Oaks' second dam Makes You Wonder is a full sister to the $1 million-winning Shanghai Lil and a half-sister to the $1.8 million winner Bolt The Duer. The third dam Wonderbolt had just seven foals, and in addition to the two seven-figure champions birthed, a first foal named Devilfish, a son of Cam's Card Shark that displayed ridiculous speed in winning at the Meadowlands in January of 2007 in 1:48 3/5. No matter Saturday's outcome, Madden Oaks is likely to be one of the contenders in just a few weeks for this year's Meadowlands Pace.