Gingras to drive Art Professor in NA Cup

Yannick Gingras, who could only manage a fourth-place finish behind Power Of A Moment and a ninth with Woodstock in last Saturday’s Pepsi North America Cup eliminations at Mohawk, will still have a chance to participate in his first-ever $1.5 million final. Trainer Steve Elliott told harnessracing.com Monday afternoon that he has enlisted the services of the 30-year-old Gingras to drive Art Professor, who finished fourth in his NA Cup elim but won the draw over the other two fourth-place finishers to advance.

“If he shows up like he’s supposed to, he’ll be in the race. Unless I draw the nine or 10, then I’m screwed,” said Elliott, who won last year’s NA Cup with Well Said. “This really all depends on how he draws. Remember, he’s still a relatively green horse, with only seven starts, but he has to learn what it’s all about.”

Brian Sears was behind Art Professor in the NA Cup elim, but he will instead drive the George Teague Jr.-trained Delmarvalous (second in his elim) in the final. The post position draw will be held Tuesday afternoon, with the connections of the three elim winners (All Speed Hanover, Rock N Roll Heaven and We Will See) getting to choose their posts.

This will be the first time Gingras has ever sat behind the 3-year-old son of Art Major, who won two of just four starts last year at two, including the Governor’s Cup consolation at Harrah’s Chester. This year, Art Professor finished fourth and second in a pair of overnight events at the Meadowlands before his NA Cup elimination.

“He drew the open spot (in the final) so we’ll see. It’s a horse race and anything can happen in a horse race,” said Elliott, who purchased Art Professor as a yearling for $100,000 in partnership with David Scharf and Martha Frank. “I think he’s just going to get better; I think he’s a pretty good colt.”

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