Woodbine Mohawk Park: Tall Dark Stranger, Captain Kirk best in NA Cup elims

Tall Dark Stranger had company at the finish line this week, yet the strapping 3-year-old colt managed to get his nose out in front and score in the first of two C$50,000 eliminations for the Pepsi North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park Saturday night. Driver Yannick Gingras led him to victory in a 1:48 4/5 mile.

Everything seemed perfect for Gingras and Tall Dark Stranger as they waited in third in the early stages, allowing Odds On Osiris to sprint to the front in a 26 1/5 quarter while seating Tattoo Artist in the process. Gingras drove up to command at his own pace, and Tall Dark Stranger crossed to the lead three-eighths into the mile, then passed the half in a leisurely 55 seconds.

Beaumond Hanover and Jody Jamieson moved on the offensive approaching the half and towed along Capt Midnight in the second-over position. Gingras allowed Tall Dark Stranger to accelerate, hitting three-quarters in 1:22 1/5 and appearing to have the field at his mercy. Yet Tall Dark Stranger bore out slightly entering the stretch and suddenly every horse appeared to have a serious chance of dethroning the champion.

With Odds On Osiris on his inside and Beaumond Hanover on his outside, Tall Dark Stranger maintained a short edge in the stretch drive. Capt Midnight emerged late in the going and made it very close (a nose), but in the end could not pass a determined Tall Dark Stranger despite having plenty of opportunity. Odds On Osiris settled for third, with Captain Barbossa making up a ton of ground between horses and running out of real estate in fourth. Tattoo Artist completed the qualifiers for the final from this group.

Crawford Farms, Caviart Farms, Marvin Katz, and Howard Taylor share ownership in Tall Dark Stranger, who paid $2.50 winning for the 13th time in 15 career starts for trainer Nancy Takter.

"It was closer than I would have liked," said an obviously-relieved Gingras in the post-race interview. "We had an equipment malfunction that we'll get fixed for next week."

The malfunction Gingras was referring to were earplugs that he couldn't pop out at the head of the stretch.

Captain Kirk pulled off a mild upset, tracking down pace-setter Allywag Hanover nearing the wire in the second C$50,000 elimination. Driver Bob McClure guided Captain Kirk on an uncovered advance and got the job done in a 1:49 3/5 mile.

Favored Allywag Hanover and driver Louis-Philippe Roy smoked from the outside post seven to the front, taking control midway on the first turn, cutting the opening fraction in 25 4/5, and putting the field in line. From there, the pace slowed markedly as Allywag Hanover stalled the half to 55 3/5 and appeared to have things his own way.

A third quarter of 27 3/5 kept the outer flow led by Captain Kirk at bay but once into the homestretch Allywag Hanover began to drive some and had no answer when Captain Kirk and McClure hit high gear. Allywag Hanover held well clear for second, with Mayhem Hanover, Moneyman Hill, and Denali Seelster completing the qualifiers.

Captain Kirk scored for the second time in six starts this year for trainer Tony Alagna. Brittany Farms, Captain Kirk Racing, Brad Grant, and Marvin Katz share ownership in Captain Kirk, a son of Captaintreacherous who returned $5.00 to win.

"He's grown into one of the best 3-year-olds in North America," said McClure, who drove him last year in Ontario and was aboard for the first time in 2020. "When I popped the plugs at headstretch he just dug and dug."

The connections of the elimination winners were allowed to select posts for the final. Tall Dark Stranger's group went first and took post four, and Captain Kirk's team then chose post three. The remainder of the field will be drawn during the pre-race broadcast for Monday night's card at Woodbine Mohawk Park.