Showdown of “Mamba”, “Beau” & “Brandon” pushes North America Cup race record handle

Total of $687,448 wagered on NA Cup race tops 2015 record

16/06/2026

MILTON, June 16, 2026 – Odds On Mr Mamba’s thrilling victory in the 43^rd Pepsi North America Cup (G1) highlighted a tremendous 2026 event at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The highly anticipated showdown between top three-year-old pacers Odds On Mr Mamba, Brandon Blvd and Beau Jangles helped drive a North America Cup race record handle of $687,448, topping the previous record of $681,716 in 2015. The race handle was also up 25.5 per cent over last year.

The all-sources handle for the 13-race card was $5,610,228, the fourth highest ever. This year’s handle delivered a number that would rank at the top if you remove the effect of Jackpot Hi-5 mandatory payouts on Cup cards since 2016.

“We witnessed an incredible race on Saturday night,” said Michael Copeland, CEO of Woodbine. “The hype for this year’s race was the highest in recent memory and the horses, drivers, trainers, and connections all delivered.

“The energy onsite was excellent and that clearly was felt across the racing world by the record handle for the Cup race. Fans love stars and we love hosting the best of the best at Woodbine Mohawk Park.”

Odds On Mr Mamba edged Brandon Blvd and Beau Jangles in an epic stretch battle to win the 2026 $1 million Pepsi North America Cup. It was the first Cup win for James MacDonald, Woodbine’s leading driver in each of the past five seasons. Trainer Melanie Wrenn became the seventh woman to train a Cup winner, while owner Dana Parham’s Odds On Racing earned their first Cup win.

MacDonald’s dream night also included a victory in the $320,000 Roses Are Red (G1) with pacing mare Miki And Minnie. That victory gave trainer Chris Ryder three consecutive wins in the event.

Dexter Dunn, a five-time U.S. Driver of the Year award winner, had a terrific evening by winning three graded stakes, Goodtimes (G2), Armbro Flight (G2) and Mohawk Gold Cup (G3). Dunn in total won four races on the card.

The $420,000 Fan Hanover (G1) for three-year-old pacing fillies saw a memorable stretch duel go to Loua Dipa and driver Ronnie Wrenn by a head over the previously undefeated Be Perfect BG. The Ron Burke trained Loua Dipa has now won three Grade 1 races at Woodbine Mohawk Park after capturing the Shes A Great Lady and Breeders Crown in 2025.

Live racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park does not slow down following the Cup, as the Campbellville oval is set to add Thursdays to its racing schedule on June 25 and will race five-nights-a-week through October 12.

The remaining major race dates for 2026 are listed below:

Saturday, August 29