Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Aug. 18, 2025

Jason discusses one of his biggest bucket list racing events, this past Saturday's Gold Cup and Saucer at Charlottetown. 

A good Monday morning to you all! Coming off a busy week and weekend, summer racing keeps on chugging as we lead up to the Travers (G1) and then the Pacific Classic (G1) in the coming days and weeks. No rest for the weary! 

I stayed up late Saturday night to watch the Gold Cup and Saucer at Charlottetown, and talk about a race and event that always seem to live up to the hype. I’ve written a few times in this column this summer about how much I love when smaller or mid-size tracks have their big signature races. It’s their chance to not only shine more on a larger stage, but also to have a huge local event. And the residents of Prince Edward Island certainly turn out for the Gold Cup and Saucer every year.  

There were a couple of chalky races leading up to it, and I suppose the final kind of chalked out as well as the 6-5 second choice, Miki Shan N, was victorious. But the whole lead-up and the build-up really added to the event, even for someone watching on TwinSpires from a thousand miles away. The post parade probably took seven or so minutes. I’m not even exaggerating. But they turned down the lights and shone a spotlight on the participants as the announcer Vance Cameron gave out every bit of info on each horse. 

Now I had a rooting interest in the race because a friend of mine had an ownership stake in the number eight horse, Poseidon Seelster. Watching the race unfold and seeing him get stuck outside, I figured he had no shot. But then he took the lead going to the final turn and for a split second it looked like he might get there. But alas, Miki Shan N came rolling up on the outside and edged away down the lane. Poseidon Seelster held second though at a big price and ran amazingly well. 

I’m sure I’m not the only Thoroughbred fan who became aware of the Gold Cup and Saucer because of Vance Cameron’s amazing call of the 2010 edition of the race where Pawnal Bay Matt won. His infectious enthusiasm and calls of “Boom just like that!” and “Time to get it on!” make the race so much fun. He doesn’t sound like any caller I’ve heard before, and I love that about him. 

After going to the Preakness S. (G1) last year, I realized that I really do need to try to get to the Kentucky Derby (G1) someday. And it’s probably a very close second on my bucket list track visits behind going to Charlottetown for the Gold Cup and Saucer.

Since we run at Colonial Downs the same day as the Gold Cup and Saucer, I’m not sure when I’m going to get up there for it, if ever. But hopefully the stars align at some point. Unless those stars aligning are my getting canned at Colonial, ha ha! But what an amazingly cool event and just another reason why when it’s at its best, our game is better than just about anything else out there. 

Have a great week everyone!