Odds On Mr Mamba draws No. 3 hole for Pepsi North America Cup harness race

“To jump off him for a horse that I don’t know that well, that’s the game. I think Mamba has a big shot Saturday.”

Odds On Mr Mamba and Sweet Lovin Lou were guaranteed to draw a post from No. 2 through No. 6 on Tuesday. Odds On Mr Mamba landed Post 3 and Sweet Lovin Lou drew the No. 4 hole.

“Often in these big races it’s a war and Mamba is very versatile, I thought,” MacDonald said. “If I get him into a good spot, I think he can win.

“There are five, six, seven horses in this race that can win and I’m just hoping I can do my part Saturday because I know the horse will do his.”

Daniel Lagace, Sweet Lovin Lou’s trainer, said veteran Scott Zeron will replace MacDonald on Saturday night. Zeron, an Oakville, Ont., native, is a decorated driver, having twice won the North America Cup (2019, ’23) along with the Hambletonian (2016, ’18, ’23) and Little Brown Jug (2012, ’23).

“I think they (MacDonald, Zeron) both have the same style and just fit the horse great,” Lagace said. “Scott is a very smart, intelligent driver who really knows what he’s doing.

“I have 100 per cent confidence he’ll be able to figure it out. I have no worries that way.”

Last weekend, Odds On Mr Mamba topped an elimination field that included Beau Jangles, North America’s reigning horse of the year. Although Beau Jangles qualified for Saturday’s race, the horse suffered its first loss in 16 career starts.

Beau Jangles, with driver Bob McClure, a Rockwood, Ont., resident, drew the No. 5 post Tuesday.

“We figured (first loss) was going to happen at some point in time,” said trainer Dr. Ian Moore. “It might have happened at the wrong time, hopefully not, but I still think he raced very well under the circumstances and seems to be fine.

“I don’t think we’ve ever drawn inside of eight in this before. So it was good to see that five, for sure, and that’s my lucky number.”

Melanie Wrenn, Odds On Mr Mamba’s trainer, was surprised with her horse’s performance Saturday, especially considering Odds On Mr Mamba was drifting noticeably on the outside at the finish.

“Beau Jangles is massive, he’s beautiful and Doc Moore is a phenomenal trainer,” Wrenn said. “I just didn’t know if we could (win) but he did and now we do know.

“Still, Beau Jangles didn’t have his best night and I know that’s not going to be the case (Saturday).”

The race field with post, horse and driver, includes: 1. Melillo, Ronnie Wrenn Jr.; 2) Redland Rocket Man, Louis-Philippe Roy; 3) Odds On Mr Mamba, MacDonald; 4) Sweet Lovin Lou, Zeron; 5) Beau Jangles, McClure; 6) Lindy Dragonwater, Jason Bartlett; 7) Azrael Blue Chip, Andrew McCarthy; 8) Al Papi, Yannick Gingras; 9) No Waitlist, Doug McNair; and 10 Brandon Blvd, Dexter Dunn.

Also on Saturday’s $2.5-million card are the $420,000 Fan Hanover and $320,000 Roses Are Red.

MacDonald has done plenty of winning over his career, surpassing the 4,000-victory plateau in 2025. And last year he captured the world driving title for a second time.

But the North America Cup is one race that’s eluded him.

“When you talk about harness racing, you talk about the North America Cup, the Hambletonian races like that,” he said. “This one is on the bucket list.

“I haven’t had a lot of luck in previous years so I’m hoping this is my year and I can check this one off … but these guys (other Cup drivers) are the best of the best so I must bring my ‘A’ game Saturday night because I know they will.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2026.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Odds On Mr Mamba draws No. 3 hole for Pepsi North America Cup harness race

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