Latest news with #NorthAmericaCup
National Post
5 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
Louprint races to North America Cup glory at Woodbine Mohawk Park
Article content Louprint and driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. needed every inch to earn their North America Cup glory. Article content The pair faced a stiff challenge from 53-1 long-shot Madden Oaks to win the $1-million classic at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday in 1:47 1/5, smashing the stakes record. Article content Article content 'I'm dreaming right now,' Wrenn said. 'This is really special.' Article content Louprint made his way to the lead just before the half-mile mark. He continued a torrid pace to three-quarters in 1:19 1/5. In the final eighth of a mile, Madden Oaks and driver Braxten Boyd shot up the inside to engage Louprint and briefly put his nose in front with just strides left. But Louprint grinded back the lead in the shadow of the wire. Article content Article content 'It wasn't ideal to go that fast in the third quarter but that's the card I was dealt,' Wrenn, who was making his first Cup appearance said. 'He's a terrific horse and he showed it tonight.' Article content A Breeders' Crown winner and $1-million earner as a two-year-old, Louprint tuned up for the Cup in Pennsylvania Sires Stakes races before scoring a narrow victory in his elimination last Saturday. Ron Burke trains and co-owns the son of Sweet Lou. Burke also won the Cup in 2014 with JK Endofanera. Article content Also at Mohawk on Saturday, Twin B Joe Fresh defended her title in the $287,000 Roses Are Red. Driven by Dunn, the reigning U.S. horse of the year took command just past the half-mile pole and pulled away to a three-length win in 1:48 4/5. Article content 'Just like usual, she felt fantastic' Dunn said. 'It was a good mile. It didn't feel like she was going that fast. She's just special.' Article content Article content Sent off as the 1-9 favourite, Twin B Joe Fresh is now two-for-two on the year and is a 32-time winner for trainer Chris Ryder. Article content In the $227,000 Goodtimes, Emoticon Legacy set a stakes and Canadian record, winning in 1:50 2/5. Driver Louis-Philippe Roy took the three-year-old trotter to the lead just past the quarter and opened up nicely in the stretch. Trained by Luc Blais for Quebec's Determination Stable, Emoticon Legacy is now six-for-nine lifetime. Article content Miki and Minnie took $390,000 Fan Hanover in 1:48 3/5. The second stakes win of the night for Dunn and Ryder, Miki and Mini went off at 1-9 but had to gut it out in the stretch to hold off challengers. It was the ninth career win for Miki and Minnie. Article content The $210,000 Armbro Flight went to Dial Square. Driver James Macdonald worked out a perfect second-over trip, taking the five-year-old mare to the lead at the top of the stretch where she held off a late-charging Call Me Goo to win in 1:41 4/5. Article content Trained by Ake Svanstedt, Dial Square is now perfect in three starts since relocating to North America from her native Sweden earlier this year.
Toronto Sun
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Louprint races to North America Cup glory at Woodbine Mohawk Park
Louprint and driver Ronnie Wrenn Jr. needed every inch to earn their North America Cup glory. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The pair faced a stiff challenge from 53-1 long-shot Madden Oaks to win the $1-million classic at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday in 1:47 1/5, smashing the stakes record. 'I'm dreaming right now,' Wrenn said. 'This is really special.' Louprint made his way to the lead just before the half-mile mark. He continued a torrid pace to three-quarters in 1:19 1/5. In the final eighth of a mile, Madden Oaks and driver Braxten Boyd shot up the inside to engage Louprint and briefly put his nose in front with just strides left. But Louprint grinded back the lead in the shadow of the wire. 'It wasn't ideal to go that fast in the third quarter but that's the card I was dealt,' Wrenn, who was making his first Cup appearance said. 'He's a terrific horse and he showed it tonight.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A Breeders' Crown winner and $1-million earner as a two-year-old, Louprint tuned up for the Cup in Pennsylvania Sires Stakes races before scoring a narrow victory in his elimination last Saturday. Ron Burke trains and co-owns the son of Sweet Lou. Burke also won the Cup in 2014 with JK Endofanera. Also at Mohawk on Saturday, Twin B Joe Fresh defended her title in the $287,000 Roses Are Red. Driven by Dunn, the reigning U.S. horse of the year took command just past the half-mile pole and pulled away to a three-length win in 1:48 4/5. 'Just like usual, she felt fantastic' Dunn said. 'It was a good mile. It didn't feel like she was going that fast. She's just special.' Sent off as the 1-9 favourite, Twin B Joe Fresh is now two-for-two on the year and is a 32-time winner for trainer Chris Ryder. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In the $227,000 Goodtimes, Emoticon Legacy set a stakes and Canadian record, winning in 1:50 2/5. Driver Louis-Philippe Roy took the three-year-old trotter to the lead just past the quarter and opened up nicely in the stretch. Trained by Luc Blais for Quebec's Determination Stable, Emoticon Legacy is now six-for-nine lifetime. Miki and Minnie took $390,000 Fan Hanover in 1:48 3/5. The second stakes win of the night for Dunn and Ryder, Miki and Mini went off at 1-9 but had to gut it out in the stretch to hold off challengers. It was the ninth career win for Miki and Minnie. The $210,000 Armbro Flight went to Dial Square. Driver James Macdonald worked out a perfect second-over trip, taking the five-year-old mare to the lead at the top of the stretch where she held off a late-charging Call Me Goo to win in 1:41 4/5. Trained by Ake Svanstedt, Dial Square is now perfect in three starts since relocating to North America from her native Sweden earlier this year. Brue Hanover went straight to the lead off the starting car and never saw a challenger in the $100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup. Yannick Gingras drove the David Menary trainee to her 11th win in 14 starts this year. World Golf World Golf Sunshine Girls
National Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
From rink to racetrack, London Knights coach Dale Hunter eyes cup sweep at Woodbine
MILTON — Dale Hunter has a shot at a rare championship double. Article content Two weeks ago, the former NHL star coached the OHL's London Knights to a Memorial Cup title. On Saturday night, he'll look to add the $1-million Pepsi North America Cup to his impressive sports resume. Article content Article content Hunter is the co-owner of Crack Shot, an Ontario-sired three-year-old pacing colt that will run Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park in one of harness racing's richest events. Owning a piece of a champion racehorse was the dying wish of Hunter's father, Dick, the patriarch of a Canadian hockey dynasty. Article content All four of Dick Hunter's sons played Major Junior A hockey, and three — including Dale — reached the NHL. Dick also had a passion for standardbred horses, often keeping them on the family farm in Petrolia, Ont. Article content 'We would always buy horses for $20,000, $30,000, in that range,' Dale Hunter told Ontario Racing. 'But before my dad passed away, he said, 'I left you a lot of money, go buy a decent horse.'' Article content That was Crack Shot, a horse purchased for US$205,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale exactly three weeks after Dick Hunter died Sept. 12, 2023, at the age of 87. Article content 'Just to get a horse to race (in North America Cup eliminations) last week, (dad) would be saying, 'Oh, we did pretty well,'' Hunter said. 'Then to get to the big race, he would say, 'I know this will never happen again. You better enjoy it.'' Article content And that's exactly the plan. Article content On Saturday, Dale Hunter and nearly 40 friends and family will take the Knights' team bus to Woodbine Mohawk Park, where Crack Shot will start from Post 8 in a 10-horse field in Canada's richest pacing race. Article content '(Dad) would have been the first one waiting for the bus. He wouldn't want to miss it,' said Hunter. 'He loved horses, and we grew up with horses, and it's just fun to have all the family together. We'll be telling stories about dad and everybody else. That's what it is all about.' Article content 'Both hockey and horse racing draw your family and friends together. It's hard to get everybody together; you have to have a good reason. Now, our horse is racing in the biggest race, and they all want to come, which is awesome. We get to see each other and have fun again.' Article content Crack Shot was second in his elimination race last weekend and is the fourth choice in the morning line at 6-1 odds. The son of 2001 North America Cup champion Bettors Delight is campaigned by the father-son team of trainer Gregg McNair and driver Doug McNair, both of Guelph, Ont. Article content Gregg McNair and Dale Hunter share ownership of Crack Shot with Frank Brundle of East Garafraxa, Ont., and George Kerr of Gowanstown, Ont. Article content As head coach and part-owner of the Knights, Hunter has won five OHL titles and led the franchise to three Memorial Cup championships — 2005, 2016 and 2025. He's only the second coach in Canadian Hockey League history to have more than 1,000 wins to his credit.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
From rink to racetrack, London Knights coach Dale Hunter eyes cup sweep at Woodbine
MILTON - Dale Hunter has a shot at a rare championship double. Two weeks ago, the former NHL star coached the OHL's London Knights to a Memorial Cup title. On Saturday night, he'll look to add the $1-million Pepsi North America Cup to his impressive sports resume. Hunter is the co-owner of Crack Shot, an Ontario-sired three-year-old pacing colt that will run Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park in one of harness racing's richest events. Owning a piece of a champion racehorse was the dying wish of Hunter's father, Dick, the patriarch of a Canadian hockey dynasty. All four of Dick Hunter's sons played Major Junior A hockey, and three — including Dale — reached the NHL. Dick also had a passion for standardbred horses, often keeping them on the family farm in Petrolia, Ont. 'We would always buy horses for $20,000, $30,000, in that range,' Dale Hunter told Ontario Racing. 'But before my dad passed away, he said, 'I left you a lot of money, go buy a decent horse.'' That was Crack Shot, a horse purchased for US$205,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale exactly three weeks after Dick Hunter died Sept. 12, 2023, at the age of 87. 'Just to get a horse to race (in North America Cup eliminations) last week, (dad) would be saying, 'Oh, we did pretty well,'' Hunter said. 'Then to get to the big race, he would say, 'I know this will never happen again. You better enjoy it.'' And that's exactly the plan. On Saturday, Dale Hunter and nearly 40 friends and family will take the Knights' team bus to Woodbine Mohawk Park, where Crack Shot will start from Post 8 in a 10-horse field in Canada's richest pacing race. '(Dad) would have been the first one waiting for the bus. He wouldn't want to miss it,' said Hunter. 'He loved horses, and we grew up with horses, and it's just fun to have all the family together. We'll be telling stories about dad and everybody else. That's what it is all about.' 'Both hockey and horse racing draw your family and friends together. It's hard to get everybody together; you have to have a good reason. Now, our horse is racing in the biggest race, and they all want to come, which is awesome. We get to see each other and have fun again.' Crack Shot was second in his elimination race last weekend and is the fourth choice in the morning line at 6-1 odds. The son of 2001 North America Cup champion Bettors Delight is campaigned by the father-son team of trainer Gregg McNair and driver Doug McNair, both of Guelph, Ont. Gregg McNair and Dale Hunter share ownership of Crack Shot with Frank Brundle of East Garafraxa, Ont., and George Kerr of Gowanstown, Ont. As head coach and part-owner of the Knights, Hunter has won five OHL titles and led the franchise to three Memorial Cup championships — 2005, 2016 and 2025. He's only the second coach in Canadian Hockey League history to have more than 1,000 wins to his credit. The 64-year-old played 19 NHL seasons with the Quebec Nordiques, Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche and is the only player in league history to register more than 1,000 points and 3,000 penalty minutes. Saturday's race headlines a $2.5-million card at Mohawk Park. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
From rink to racetrack, London Knights coach Dale Hunter eyes cup sweep at Woodbine
MILTON – Dale Hunter has a shot at a rare championship double. Two weeks ago, the former NHL star coached the OHL's London Knights to a Memorial Cup title. On Saturday night, he'll look to add the $1-million Pepsi North America Cup to his impressive sports resume. Hunter is the co-owner of Crack Shot, an Ontario-sired three-year-old pacing colt that will run Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park in one of harness racing's richest events. Owning a piece of a champion racehorse was the dying wish of Hunter's father, Dick, the patriarch of a Canadian hockey dynasty. All four of Dick Hunter's sons played Major Junior A hockey, and three — including Dale — reached the NHL. Dick also had a passion for standardbred horses, often keeping them on the family farm in Petrolia, Ont. 'We would always buy horses for $20,000, $30,000, in that range,' Dale Hunter told Ontario Racing. 'But before my dad passed away, he said, 'I left you a lot of money, go buy a decent horse.'' That was Crack Shot, a horse purchased for US$205,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale exactly three weeks after Dick Hunter died Sept. 12, 2023, at the age of 87. 'Just to get a horse to race (in North America Cup eliminations) last week, (dad) would be saying, 'Oh, we did pretty well,'' Hunter said. 'Then to get to the big race, he would say, 'I know this will never happen again. You better enjoy it.'' And that's exactly the plan. On Saturday, Dale Hunter and nearly 40 friends and family will take the Knights' team bus to Woodbine Mohawk Park, where Crack Shot will start from Post 8 in a 10-horse field in Canada's richest pacing race. '(Dad) would have been the first one waiting for the bus. He wouldn't want to miss it,' said Hunter. 'He loved horses, and we grew up with horses, and it's just fun to have all the family together. We'll be telling stories about dad and everybody else. That's what it is all about.' 'Both hockey and horse racing draw your family and friends together. It's hard to get everybody together; you have to have a good reason. Now, our horse is racing in the biggest race, and they all want to come, which is awesome. We get to see each other and have fun again.' Crack Shot was second in his elimination race last weekend and is the fourth choice in the morning line at 6-1 odds. The son of 2001 North America Cup champion Bettors Delight is campaigned by the father-son team of trainer Gregg McNair and driver Doug McNair, both of Guelph, Ont. Gregg McNair and Dale Hunter share ownership of Crack Shot with Frank Brundle of East Garafraxa, Ont., and George Kerr of Gowanstown, Ont. As head coach and part-owner of the Knights, Hunter has won five OHL titles and led the franchise to three Memorial Cup championships — 2005, 2016 and 2025. He's only the second coach in Canadian Hockey League history to have more than 1,000 wins to his credit. The 64-year-old played 19 NHL seasons with the Quebec Nordiques, Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche and is the only player in league history to register more than 1,000 points and 3,000 penalty minutes. Saturday's race headlines a $2.5-million card at Mohawk Park. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025.
