'PISTOL' TAKES AIM AT NORTH AMERICAN CUP
At this time of year, there are few places trainer Sam DePinto would rather be than Campbellville, Ont. ...
HIGHTSTOWN, NJ -- June 6, 2025 -- At this time of year, there are few places trainer Sam DePinto would rather be than Campbellville, Ont.
“When you’re here, that means things are good,” DePinto said, referring to the location of Woodbine Mohawk Park, where on Saturday (June 7) he will send out Papis Pistol in the second of three eliminations for the Grade 1 Pepsi North America Cup. “It’s a nice place to be, that’s for sure.”
DePinto has raced a horse in the North America Cup, for 3-year-old pacers, on two previous occasions. He finished a dead-heat second with Artesian in the 2003 final at Woodbine Racetrack and second again in the 2010 final at Mohawk with future double millionaire We Will See.
“I’m not getting any younger,” the 69-year-old DePinto said with a laugh about hoping to capture a North America Cup trophy. “This is a big one, and it’s a tough one to win. There are such good horses in there.”
Papis Pistol was one of 23 sophomore pacers entered in the North America Cup, resulting in three C$50,000 eliminations. The top three finishers from each elimination, plus one fourth-place finisher drawn by lot, will advance to the C$1 million final June 14. Elimination winners will draw for posts two through six for the final.
Fallout, who won last year’s C$1 million Metro Pace at Mohawk, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in Papis Pistol’s elimination. He will leave from post seven with Tim Tetrick driving for trainer Tony Alagna. Papis Pistol, who will have Andy Miller in the sulky, will start from post three, and is 15-1 on the morning line.
Papis Pistol heads to the race after a fourth-place finish in a division of the Grade 3 Somebeachsomewhere Stakes in his seasonal debut last week at Mohawk. He was beaten by 1-1/2 lengths after setting the pace from the start and into the stretch.
“He’s come back good,” DePinto said. “He had a little issue — probably for about a month — with his liver, but we’ve got that under control now. Every week, he’s better and better. Last week was the best he’s been so far. He came out of the race probably better than he went into the race.
“He’s acting really good. That’s a good sign with him. When he feels good, he races good. You know when he’s feeling good because he goes out on his back legs, he rears up. That’s when he’s really feeling good, and that’s what he’s been doing all week. I expect him to give me a pretty good race this week.”
Papis Pistol, a son of Papi Rob Hanover-Bang Bang, won four of 14 races last year, including the Kindergarten Classic Series final, and earned $184,867. His mark of 1:49.3 tied for sixth fastest among 2-year-old male pacers last season.
The colt was bred by Anthony Perretti Farm, Joseph Davino and Brad Shackman. He is owned by Shannon DePinto, Chris Arvanitis, Anthony Perretti and Shackman.
“He got a little bit bigger over the winter and he filled out a little more,” Sam DePinto said. “He’s got some more growing to do, and a little more filling out to do, but he looks great. I had him at Andy Miller’s farm, and he did a great job with him. I’m really happy with the way he looks. It’s all systems go with him. We’ve done all we could, the rest is up to him.”
The morning-line favorite in the first North America Cup elimination is Captain Optimistic, who is 8-5 for driver Dexter Dunn and trainer Nancy Takter. The colt won seven of 11 races last season and capped his campaign with a victory in the Governor’s Cup.
Louprint, the 2024 Dan Patch Award winner for best 2-year-old male pacer, is the 4-5 favorite in the third elimination. He is unbeaten in three races this season, all in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action. Ronnie Wrenn Jr. will be in the sulky for trainer Ron Burke.
In addition to the three North America Cup eliminations, Mohawk will host two C$35,000 eliminations for the Grade 1 Fan Hanover Stakes, for 3-year-old female pacers. Returning Dan Patch Award winner Miki And Minnie is the 2-5 morning-line favorite in the first for driver Dunn and trainer Chris Ryder. Canada’s 2024 Horse of the Year, Chantilly, is the 6-5 choice in the second for driver James MacDonald and trainer Nick Gallucci.
Racing begins at 6:35 p.m. (EDT) at Woodbine Mohawk Park. For free race-day programs, visit the track’s website.