Trainer Ed Hart is no stranger to being involved in big races. In the early 2000’s, Hart conditioned world champion Four Starzzz Shark to a lucrative career, which included $2.7 million in career earnings with numerous stakes victories and a 1:47.4 lifetime best.
Hart would return to the spotlight in 2001 as Village Jolt captured the $829,000 Breeders Crown, $432,000 Woodrow Wilson and finished second in the $1.2 million Metro Pace.
Now, almost a decade later, the New York-based conditioner will be looking to walk back into the limelight as Roll With Joe looks to be crowned this year's $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup champion, the richest race for sophomore pacers.
The 3-year-old son of Cam's Card Shark-Classic Wish is a full brother to Bettor's Delight ($2,581,461) who captured the 2001 edition.
After scoring an impressive 1:49.3 victory in his division of the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes this past Saturday, Roll With Joe will begin from post two in his North America Cup elimination Saturdayat Mohawk.
Following last week’s victory, Hart remains optimistic about his charges chances in this year’s rich edition.
"After tonight's (Somebeachsomewhere Stakes) win, I think he's a contender this year for the North America Cup," Hart explained. "Some horses haven't come up from the States yet, but we will know a lot more on elimination night."
Driven for the first time by Randy Waples, Roll With Joe sat in the pocket for most of the mile before unleashing a :26.3 final quarter to beat top North America Cup prospect, Bettorthancheddar in his Somebeachsomewhere Stakes division.
"I feel kind of silly because I never really heard of him, but I heard of him now," Waples offered following the victory. "I didn’t really know a whole lot about Ed’s horse, other than his racelines. Before the race, I would have been happy finishing second."
Although Waples has not won the Cup, he believes Roll With Joe could take him to the winner's circle for the first time.
"Yeah, I think he has a shot (to win the cup), you could make a case for bunch of them," he offered. "It seems some horses get the press and some don’t, but a horse like Roll With Joe could come from out of the clouds and win it all."
After earning $157,740 last season, Roll With Joe was not a top threat amongst the top Grand Circuit 2 year olds, but Hart remained hopeful coming into this season.
"Coming into this season, he trained down perfect. He's a nice, average sized horse who is very slick gaited," said Hart.
Things were shaping up well as Roll With Joe was near ready to qualify until a minor injury occurred.
"In April, he was kicking because he was feeling so good and cut his ankle, which required 10 stitches. The injury wasn’t serious, we just had to give him the appropriate time off, but that’s in the past now. We gave him three qualifiers by design and his first start of the year, he was tremendous. He's well staked this year so hopefully things go according to plan."
This Saturday, Roll With Joe will be looking to follow in his big brother’s footsteps for owners Blue Chip Bloodstock, Winbak Farm, Stephen Demeter and Not To Worry Stable. (WEG)