Strong Gold Cup field

A stellar field of nine has been drawn for Saturday's $100,000(C) Gold Cup at Woodbine Raceway, which will showcase Holborn Hanover, Lis Mara, Ponder, Buckeye One, Boulder Creek, Primetime Bobcat, Our Lucky Killean, Maltese Artist and Casimir Camotion.

Ponder, the five-year-old Bob McIntosh trainee who this year paced to a world record-equaling 1:49 over the half-mile Delaware County Fair oval on Little Brown Jug day has drawn post two. From 19 starts this campaign, the career millionaire has notched six wins and eight second-place finishes. McIntosh has recruited John Campbell to steer the son of The Panderosa. Ponder also won in 1:48.1 this season at the Meadowlands.

Holborn Hanover, who has paced the sport's fastest-ever pari-mutuel mile (1:46.4, on Hambletonian day at the Meadowlands), is the second of Brett Robinson's charges to be entered to the dash. The 5-year-old Cam’s Card Shark gelding has reigned supreme in four of his last five tilts, notching a pair of sub-1:50 wins, a 1:48.1 triumph and a 1:47.4 mile. Robinson has again listed George Brennan to drive Holborn Hanover.

Lis Mara, who has been the class of the Open pacing ranks in 2006, has drawn poorly for trainer Erv Miller and will start from post eight. The 4-year-old Cambest stallion has won the Breeders Crown, Canadian Pacing Derby and the Des Smith Memorial this season. He has compiled a sparkling record of 10-4-1 and also lowered his mark to 1:47.3 at the Meadowlands. Miller has again recruited Brian Sears to pilot Lis Mara, who has won seven of his last eight races. (From WEG)

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