Woodbine Mohawk Park: Pebble Beach pulls away in Pepsi North America Cup

Pebble Beach didn't have the ideal journey, racing two-wide until past the half, but once he cleared to the point, it was all over but the shouting, as he kicked away in the last quarter to win the 39th edition of the C$1 million Pepsi North America Cup for 3-year-old male pacers on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:50.

The expected speed battle in the race didn't really materialize as only Frozen Hanover (Louis Roy) left with authority from post nine, and he was the leader at the quarter in just 27 3/5. Beach Glass (Yannick Gingras), an elimination winner, bypassed the pocket and drove on two-wide to take over the top spot past that marker, with Pebble Beach (Todd McCarthy) remaining on the rim behind Beach Glass.

Gingras took a big hold of Beach Glass in the backstretch and released Pebble Beach beyond the 55 second half-mile marker, and from there, Pebble Beach had to deal with a first-over bid from I Did It Myway (Andy McCarthy), which he was able to do to the 1:22 3/5 three-quarters. Fourever Boy (Mike Wilder) was positioned second-over, with Ario Hanover (Dexter Dunn) third-over and second choice Night Hawk (David Miller) on excess cover fourth-over.

In the lane Pebble Beach still had plenty more to give, and he kicked away from the rest of the field on his way to a 2 3/4 length decision over Beach Glass. Frozen Hanover's aggressive early tactics paid off with a third-place check, and Ron (Jody Jamieson) sat on the inside in sixth and seventh and closed well to finish fourth. Night Hawk had to settle for fifth after being mired in traffic.

"It's so surreal, and I can't thank Noel (trainer Noel Daley) enough for what done for me since I've come over here, too. He was a large part in me coming over, and to win this race with him has just been unbelievable," said Todd McCarthy. "I was lucky enough to pick up this horse early on, and he's just been an absolute pleasure.

"I would have liked the idea of being able to get in early and make the decision to move, but our hand kind of got forced there, and I had to keep pressing. 55 seconds, I was pretty happy with that, and I just sort of had to look after him from there. I knew he'd have a big last quarter for me. He was terrific."

A Downbytheseaside colt bred by Brittany Farms, Pebble Beach has won ten times from 15 career starts, and he has now earned C$931,750. Owned by Patricia Stable, Joe Sbrocco, Country Club Acres, and Laexpressfoderadeovolente, Pebble Beach paid $3.10 to win as the 1-2 favorite.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

"It wasn't where I thought we were going to be, but they were going easy fractions. I left it to Todd to make his decision, and he did the right thing," offered Daley. "As you see, he's still got his earplugs in, so he wasn't too worried about it. He's showed now he's got a bit of versatility, he can do it in front or from behind. He's got a wicked turn of speed, so I just said, 'as long as you're in the first half swinging in, I'd be happy.'"

Pebble Beach is eligible to the MGM Messenger Stakes at Yonkers which has elims scheduled for Friday night (June 24, if needed) and then the Adios, but could not be nominated to either the Meadowlands Pace or the Cane as Downbytheseaside's offspring are subject to the Stallion Restriction Condition at tracks owned by Jeff Gural.