Latest news with #PepsiNorthAmericaCup
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
From rink to racetrack, London Knights coach Dale Hunter eyes cup sweep at Woodbine
Hunter is the co-owner of Crack Shot, an Ontario-sired three-year-old pacing colt. Published Jun 13, 2025 • 2 minute read London Knights head coach Dale Hunter participates in a press conference following the Knights' 3-1 win over Rimouski Oceanic, in Memorial Cup hockey action, in Rimouski, Que., on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Photo by Christopher Katsarov / The Canadian Press MILTON — Dale Hunter has a shot at a rare championship double. 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 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.'' 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. 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.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. '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. World Canada Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA Music
Hamilton Spectator
3 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
3 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.
Winnipeg Free Press
7 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Expected favourite Louprint lands No. 4 post for $1-million Pepsi North America Cup
MILTON – Louprint, the expected favourite for the $1-million Pepsi North America Cup, has landed the No. 4 post for the race. Louprint, Lite Up The World and Captain Optimistic won the three elimination races last weekend at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Lite Up The World, driven by James MacDonald — a resident of Guelph, Ont., and Canada's top driver the last four years — recorded the fastest winning time of 1:48.3. The three elimination winners were guaranteed to land a post anywhere from the second to sixth spots on Monday evening. Lite Up The World landed post No. 5 and will be flanked by Captain Optimistic (No. 6) and Louprint in the race, which goes Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The field, with post, horse and driver, includes: 1. Fast Choice, Scott Zeron; 2. Dandy Ideal, Jason Bartlett; 3. Joel And The Jets, Louis-Philippe Roy; 4. Louprint, Ronnie Wrenn Jr.; 5. Lite Up The World, MacDonald; 6. Captain Optimistic, Dexter Dunn; 7. Swingtown, Yannick Gingras; 8. Crack Shot, Doug McNair; 9. Prince Hal Hanover, David Miller; and 10. Madden Oaks, Braxten Boyd. The stakes record for the Pepsi North America Cup is 1:47.2, established in 2019 by Captain Crunch. Saturday's race will be the featured event on a $2.5-million card that will also include The Fan Hanover, Roses Are Red, Armbro Flight, Goodtimes and Mohawk Gold Cup. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025.
