Woodbine Mohawk Park: Redwood Hanover looks to shore up Cup hopes in Somebeachsomewhere test

Redwood Hanover, trained and co-owned by Anthony Beaton, takes on seven rivals in one of three $75,000 Somebeachsomewhere Stakes divisions, Saturday night (June 3) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

With just over two weeks until the starter calls the field for the 40th edition of the $1 million Pepsi North America Cup, contenders will be taking their best shot at increasing their odds of going postward in the premier pacing event for three-year-old colts and geldings this weekend.

The connections of Redwood Hanover are hoping to keep their fortunes rolling when their bay colt lines up for the first division of the Somebeachsomewhere this weekend.

Listed at 75-1 in the Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book, Redwood Hanover continues to improve and impress, especially over his past four starts which have yielded three wins and a fourth, the latter coming in a Pennsylvania Sires Stakes race on May 6.

"He came flying in Pennsylvania," noted Beaton. "He was just rolling. It's a short stretch, so we had our work cut out for us, but we loved the way he kept coming."

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Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, the son of Stay Hungry has commanded more and more attention with his strong recent form, including a rallying score on May 20 that yielded a lifetime-best 1:51 4/5 mile.

"From day one, he looked the part, and now he's developed into a big, strong boy," said Beaton, who co-owns with Mac Nichol, McKinley and Fielding, and David Mercer. "He was a little immature at two, and I think in some ways he still is. But after that most recent race, James [driver, MacDonald] came to me and said, 'This guy is starting to figure it out.' We were ecstatic about that trip, beating older horses, and coming from well out of it from the nine-hole. He did it like a good horse. When James moved, he exploded and was pacing strong at the wire."

Redwood Hanover, a $50,000 purchase at the 2021 Harrisburg Yearling Sale, debuted last June at Mohawk and pulled off the 10-1 upset. He completed his rookie campaign with a 1-2-1 mark from seven starts.

"We were very high on him last year," said Beaton. "He started out well and we were all extremely happy. He developed well, but he came up lame, some mysterious ailment, and then we gave him some time. We were hoping to get a start into him ahead of the Breeders Crown elim last October. We got a good qualifier in, but that's not the same as a race. We went into the Breeders Crown elim knowing that was going to be his last start of the year. He finished sixth, but we knew we had a pretty nice horse to bring back at three. And I would say we do have that."

Leading driver James MacDonald will once again be in the sulky on Saturday night.

Featuring 23 total entrants, the trio of Somebeachsomewhere divisions showcase several top-shelf sophomores, top-tier drivers and top-notch trainers, including Dan Patch and O'Brien Award winner, Dr. Ian Moore charge Stockade Seelster, No Control, Pennsylvania Sire Stakes victor Fulton, Pennsylvania Sires Stakes runner-up, Mitchell York-trained Annapolis Hanover, Tony Alagna trainee El Rey, Nancy Takter pupil Ants Marching, and Doug McIntosh trainee Moment Is Here.

"There are so many other horses that want to be in these races, the big dances," said Beaton. "But I think we're progressing in a very good way and we just have to hope the horse keeps doing the same."

First post for the 11-race card is 7:00 p.m.

-edited release (Woodbine Communications)