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James MacDonald’s hunch paid off big time Saturday night.
After guiding both Odds On Mr Mamba and Sweet Lovin Lou to wins in their respective elimination races last weekend, MacDonald had to decide which one he’d drive in the $1-million Pepsi North America Cup. He opted for Odds On Mr Mamba figuring the horse had a “big shot.”
It proved to be the right choice as MacDonald finally won the prestigious race for three-year-old pacers in his eighth appearance Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park. His previous best finish was fourth in 2020.
“It’s just a race that’s so hard to win,” said MacDonald, a resident of Guelph, Ont. “I’ll probably never win another one in my life but I can finally say I got it done.
“I’m so proud of the horse, so happy for Melanie (trainer Melanie Wrenn) and the connections. It’s just time to party.”
Beau Jangles, the 3/5 favourite with driver Bob McClure, of Rockwood, Ont., took the lead just after the quarter-mile mark and remained there coming around the final turn. MacDonald had Odds On Mr Mamba fourth with a quarter-mile remaining and the fastest two-year-old in harness racing history lived up to that billing down the stretch to earn the half-length win in 1:48.1.
Brandon Blvd, driven by Dexter Dunn from the 10 hole, was second ahead of Beau Jangles.
Beau Jangles entered last weekend’s eliminations riding a 15-race win streak but has registered consecutive third-place finishes.
The win was the 10th in 11 career starts for Odds On Mr Mamba but MacDonald didn’t feel any extra pressure entering Saturday’s race.
“Not additional but I mean I would’ve been very disappointed (with a loss),” he said. “I watched my brother (Mark MacDonald) win this race with Sportswriter (in 2010) and I was at Kawartha Downs never thinking I was ever going to do anything like this on this kind of stage.
“It’s pretty special for me. I’m just so thankful I got to drive and so lucky to be here.”
MacDonald also praised Daniel Lagace, the trainer for Sweet Lovin Lou, for his patience while MacDonald pondered his decision. Scott Zeron, a native of Oakville, Ont., drove Sweet Lovin Lou on Saturday.
“I would’ve been so happy for Dan and his family if they had won,” MacDonald said. “They put no pressure on me.
“I just wanted to go out and race a horse race and try to do my best.”
MacDonald’s best has been pretty good, given he’s been Canada’s top driver for the last five years. And in 2025, the 40-year-old captured a second world driving title.
Wrenn admitted she was battling nerves late in the race.
“I knew he (Odds On Mr Mamba) was in a good spot at that point, but he was in with so many nice horses,” she said. “He’s amazing.”
Last weekend, Odds On Mr Mamba earned the elimination win despite drifting noticeably coming to the finish line. That definitely wasn’t the case Saturday.
“We just did a little maintenance, the stuff everybody does,” she said. “We worked on him a little bit and we rigged him up a tad different and he still got the job done.
“He never quits. When they’re coming to the wire he’s always gaining on them so we had a pretty good shot.”
Also on Saturday’s card, Ronnie Wrenn Jr. guided 6/5 second choice Loua Dipa to victory in the Grade 1 $420,000 Fan Hanover for three-year-old filly pacers. Loua Dipa came on strong along the rail to finish a neck ahead of 3/5 favourite Be Perfect BG and driver Dunn in a stakes, track and Canadian record time of 1:48.1.
“I wanted to sit 1-2 and as long as Dexter had to use his horse a little bit to clear me, I was happy to sit the two-hole,” said Wrenn. “I got lucky, shook loose late; she’s a true champion.
“I was very confident in the horse, she knows how to win. I know she’s as tough as nails. She knows where the wire is and dug in late.”
Loua Dipa earned a second win from three starts this season and 11th in 16 career races.
Perfect Thought, with MacDonald driving, was third.
And in the Grade 1 $320,000 Roses Are Red final for mare pacers, MacDonald drove Miki And Minnie to victory in a career-best time of 1:48.1. The Last Martini, driven by Doug McNair, a resident of Guelph, was second ahead of Louies Girl N and driver Jason Bartlett.
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