Maritime Madness as Somebeachsomewhere edges Shadow Play in rain-soaked Messenger Pace

Somebeachsomewhere wins Messenger in 1.52.1 in pouring rain

As they headed for home Shadow Play was grinding hard on the lead, with Somebeachsomewhere on his outside shoulder. They stayed that way until the final moments of the stretch drive, when Paul MacDonell and Beach dug in and inched past Shadow Play and David Miller. All in all a thrilling race for Atlantic Canada harness racing fans and standardbred horse racing fans everywhere.

Full article on Messenger Stakes at Harnesslink.com plus video of the race


Enough Talk kept his winning streak alive taking the Oleg Cassini in 157.4.

Happy Dreamer outlasted Artimitateslife to win the $384,000 Lady Maud in 157.3.

$2.8 mil purse money: Woodbine harness racing opens with Three Diamonds, Valley Victory, Governor's Cup stakes races

Here were the 4 big races at Woodbine yesterday evening:

4 -- Trot, purse $616,000 (EX, P4, TR)
GOLDSMITH MAID - FINAL - 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES

Andover Hall offspring were 2 of the faves but Cantab Hall had 4 contenders in the race; Angus Hall, Muscles Yankee and Credit Winner fillies all had a credible shot at the big win.


Finish/Results:

4 Up Front Annika (AndoverHall/PhotoOfALady)

5 Yursa Hanover (WindsongsLegacy/YankeeTopaz)

6 Musical Mystery (CantabHall/MusicalVictory)


5 -- Pace, purse $585,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
D-THREE DIAMONDS - FINAL - 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES.

Race featured mostly fillies from the No Nukes - Western Hanover line, a source of early speed.


Finish / Results:

Hawaiian Drink (IAmAFool/BPassionate)

Special Sweetheart (WesternIdeal/LadysSpecialGirl)

Notjustaprettyface (JateLobell/WittySportslady)




6 -- Trot, purse $718,000 (EX, P3, TR)
VALLEY VICTORY - FINAL - 2 YEAR OLD OPEN

Windsong's Legacy the only sire with 2 horses in the final as a cross section of top trotting stallions are represented in the race named after the sport's dominant modern sire, Valley Victory.

Finish / Results:

Federal Flex (MusclesYankee/ScullyFbi)

Encore Encore (BroadwayHall/KeysLaNina)

Judge Joe (CreditWinner/JudgeJudy)



7 -- Pace, purse $820,000 (EX, P3, TR)
D-GOVERNOR'S CUP - FINAL - 2 YEAR OLD OPEN

From a sire line point of view, race seven offered competitors from each of the top three sire lines, those being:

Abercrombie / Artsplace

Hypnotic Blue Chip, Art Colony, Amazon Art, Ahead Ofthe Curve, Major In Art


No Nukes / Western Hanover

Dial Or Nodial, Well Said, If I Can Dream

Cam Fella

Nebupanezzar, AE1 Millionaire Cam


Outcross:

Mclaren, a son of McCardle, who was sired by Falcon Seelster, by Warm Breeze, by Bret Hanover.


Finish / Results:

Nebupanezzar (NoPanIntended/WesternWonder)

Art Colony (Artsplace/AsleepOntheBeach)

Major In Art (ArtMajor/MiamiSpice)



Summary of how the evening went for stallions:


On the trotting side, Valey Victory line and Garland Lobell line sires each had a win and a place in the two big races for trotters.

In the pacing events:

Abercrombie / Artsplace line got a win, a place and a show:

Hawaiian Drink, Art Colony, Major In Art


Cam Fella line got a win:

Nebupanezzar


No Nukes / Western Hanove line got a place and a show:

Special Sweetheart, Notjustaprettyface

Somebeachsomewhere draws Post 6 for $650,00 Messenger Pace final

Here are the six colts in the Messenger Stakes final at Yonkers Raceway this Saturday, October 25th, including post positions, drivers and trainers:

TENTH RACE - THE MESSENGER FINAL

Condition: 3 YEAR OLD OPEN FINAL STARTING FEE $10,000

HN PP Horse Driver Trainer Years Best Last 3

1 1 LEGACY N DIAMONDS TBA Ca Jamieson 1:53.3 9-2-3

1A 4 SANTANNA BLUE CHIP Ro Pierce Ca Jamieson 1:53.2 6-4-2

2 2 BROTHER RAY Ja Bartlett Ke Rucker 1:49.3 1-1-2

3 3 DALI Pa Lachance Du Marfisi 1:50.3 3-3-6

4 5 SHADOW PLAY Da Miller Ia Moore 1:48.2 1-1-1

5 6 SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE Pa Macdonnell B Macgrath 1:46.4 1-1-1


World-record holding trotter Enough Talk, the first trotting racehorse ever to trot below 1.50 with his 149.3 victory in Virginia last week, will be racing in th eighth and has drawn the 5 hole, though he's carrying number 1 as part of an entry with 1A American Lane (P6) in the $100,000 Oleg Cassini Invitational. Artimitateslife drew the rail and leads the pack for the ninth race, the $381,000 Lady Maud final for 3 year old pacing fillies.

Full entries for Yonkers Raceway Saturday October 25th, 2008

No elims for Messenger; Somebeachsomewhere, Shadow Play to meet in final

Those hoping for a rematch between Art Official and Somebeachsomewhere may have to wait for the Breders Crown final, but next Saturday's October 25th Messenger Stakes pacing championship final will feature a small but stellar cast.

Here are the entries for the final jewel of Pacing's Triple Crown, the 2008 Messenger Stakes $650,000 Pace at Yonkers 25OCT08:

Somebeachsomewhere- This son of Mach Three (himself the fastest son of Matts Scooter) holds the world-records for 2 and 3 year old colts and tied the all ages record with his time of 146.4 in the Tattersalls Pace. The "Beach" has Nova Scotia ownership and is the most exciting and talented pacer to come along in years. Niatross won this race, and Beach will be heavily favoured to repeat the feat, and if track and weather conditions permit, fans may get to see him take a run at his 1.49.2 world-record for 3 year old colts pacing on a half-mile track.


Shadow Play - With ownership being a group of PEI'ers with legendary NHL defenceman Serge Savard, Shadow Play (son of top sire The Panderosa) is the 2nd reason Maritime Canada standardbred fans have experienced a thrilling 2008 harness racing season. His connections must feel he's sharp as they paid the $60,000 supplemental entry fee, and the colt is coming off a string of impressive races, including victories in the Little Brown Jug and the Windy City Pace.


Santanna Blue Chip - With just 2 wins in 12 starts, Art Major son Santanna has faced Beach, Shadow, Art Official, Badlands Nitro and all the top 3 year olds, and has 4 places and 3 shows and $588,000+ in winnings. Will make some noise but would need a duel between the top two and a perfect trip to pull this one off.


Dali - With just 1 win in 13 starts, Dali has also repeatedly faced the best colts in the world, and sports 2 places and 4 shows and $344,000 on the year. This son of Real Artist will need to be peaking at just the right time to do better than 3rd.


Legacy N Diamonds - Another fast son of The Panderosa, Legacy is an outsider here but in a small field has a chance to hit the board.


Brother Ray - The Dragon Again gelding is in top form, coming off an upset win Oct 11 in the James Dancer Memorial at Freehold, where he won in 151.3, but he's in tough company here.

Enough Talk has a cool pedigree; World-record trotter from outcross branch of main sire line

Arnie Almahurst branch of Speedster line chalks up another speed record; 1:49.3 first sub 1:50 trotting mile 11oCT08!!!



Enough Talk by Enjoy Lavec - Fashion Setter, by Donerail

Sire Line:

Enjoy Lavec by Pine Chip by Arndon by Arnie Almahurst by Speedster

Dam Sire Line

Donerail by Valley Victory by Baltic Speed by Speedy Somolli by Speedy Crown by Speedy Scot by Speedster

Full online pedigree of world record trotter Enough Talk, by Enjoy Lavec

The Arnie Almahurst line that Pine Chip and Enjoy Lavec hail from is an outcross branch of the dominant Speedster line, and this primary breeding is reinforced with a dam by Valley Victory son Donerail. Enough Talk's second dam Fashion Finder has a Canadian connection, being by the legendary Balanced Image (and out of the Brisco Hanover mare, Moorelands Vera!!!)

An estimated 98%+ of top level North American harness racing stallions are from one of three main standardbred sire lines; For Pacing, Hal Dale, For Trotting, Speedster, and for both pacing and trotting, Volomite.

Enjoy Lavec is standing in Sweden but the new world record is great news for his connections. They can keep him there and enjoy his fame or consider a move back across the Atlantic when overseas contractual obligations are fulfilled. He'd get some nice mares in Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania ...

In the meantime, other Pine Chip sons may get a little more action, while the Arnie Almahurst line in general (Dream Vacation, Arndon, Magna Force, Spellcaster, Florida Pro line stallions) will experience revived interest.

MILESTONE: Aptly-named Enough Talk TROTS 1.49.3 mile in Patriot Invitational!!!

Longtime harness racing vision comes true; next up, pacing's 1:45 mile?


I thought Deweycheatumnhowe would be the first trotter to go sub 1.50, but now he only has a chance to be second after Enough Talk (Enjoy Lavec - Fashion Setter, by Donerail) raced to victory in 1.49.3 at Colonial Downs in Virginia an Saturday, October 11th, smashing the previous world record of 1:50.1 that was held by Donato Hanover and Giant Diablo.







Enough Talk Breaks World Record - Photo: Coady Photography



Enough Talk and Ron Pierce took advantage of wicked fractions by Instant Photo and Vivid Photo, who dueled to the quarter in 26.2 and a half in 53.4, at which point Enough Talk was four and a quarter lengths back in fifth, but starting to move.



Lanson was first over and led to the three-quarters in 1:21.3, but at the top of the stretch driver Pierce took Enough Talk wide and to the lead where the 5 year old just buried his opponents, pulling away from the field and winning by eight and a half lengths, with Vivid Photo second and the late charging Green Day third.




Driver Ron Pierece is no stranger to trotting speed, for in addition to the new record with Enough Talk, he still holds the All Ages and 3 Year Old One Mile Track world record of 150.1 set by Donato Hanover, and in that race he broke a world record he held since 2004, when Pierce drove Tom Ridge to the fastest mile in history at the time, 1:50.2, in the World Trotting Derby at Du Quoin.







Watch Online Video of Enough Talk setting world record; Enough Talk YouTube video at HarnessLink.com

Shadow Play edges Badlands Nitro to win Windy City Pace

Next stop for Shadow Play is the Messenger Stakes at Yonkers in New York



Melrose Park, IL --- In one of the most gutsy winning performances in the 26-year history of Maywood Park’s Windy City Pace, Shadow Play overcame a rugged trip and overtook Badlands Nitro in the late going to nail down a head victory in a stakes record time of 1:50.4.

The 4-5 favorite had to race parked outside of Badlands Nitro for the last half-mile and when asked, still had another gear, going on to add the $275,000 Windy City Pace crown to his recent Little Brown Jug championship.

“That wasn’t an easy trip for him and he did overcome it,” said winning driver David Miller. “He’s had a problem with his foot but he’s just amazing right now.”

From the two slot, Badlands Nitro out-sprinted the Illinois champion Mucho Sleazy, who had the coveted one post, and took command coming out of the first turn. After a: 27 first quarter Badlands Nitro's driver Brian Sears was able to slow the pace down.

Miller had to move Shadow Play out of third before the :55.4 half-mile marker and the Jug winner was still to the outside of Badlands Nitro at the 1:23.1 three-quarter pole and through the last turn where he appeared beaten.

However, Shadow Play dug down deep and responded with a furious late move, getting past right before the wire. Mucho Sleazy took third, beaten 1-1/4 lengths.

“When we got to the top of the stretch and I asked him for more he just did the rest,” said Miller, who added that Shadow Play’s next start would be in the Messenger Stakes at Yonkers.

The $132,000 winner’s share of the Windy City Pace boosted Shadow Play’s season's earnings to $723,446 for owners Serge Savard, R G Group LTD and trainer Ian Moore.


Full article on Shadow Play's victory in the Windy City pace at USTrotting.com


It looks like great horses such as Somebeachsomewhere, Art Official, Shadow Play, Santanna Blue Chip, Badlands Nitro, Mucho Sleazy and Dali (maybe even Bullvile Powerful and Keystone Horatio too!) should all hook up in the Messnger (eliminations 18oct, final 25oct) and again in the Breeders Crown, so the 3 year old colts division of North American pacing has lots of exciting races in store.

Top Trotting Sires of 2008, Emerging Star Stallions

The following list of eight standardbred trotting sires represents la creme de la creme, the most poweerful of the most powerful trotting sire lines.



HARNESS HORSE SIRE STATISTICS 2008

Leading Money Winning Trotting Sires in 2008

All Age Trotters - 05OCT08


Top Eight Sires baseed on total winnings and per starter winnings:

Sire Name Foals Starters Earnings

MUSCLES YANKEE 823 259 $ 8,011,180

CONWAY HALL 709 240 $ 6,478,274

ANGUS HALL 739 345 $ 6,459,958

CREDIT WINNER 449 204 $ 6,087,250

ANDOVER HALL 318 151 $ 4,059,229

LIKE A PRAYER 265 126 $ 3,434,864

BROADWAY HALL 199 117 $ 2,508,025

KADABRA 191 115 $ 2,362,026

Emerging Pacing Sires - 2008

Though Camluck appears ready to take over the top of the all-ages sire charts from the late great Western Hanover, and The Panderosa appears positioned to be a challenger for years to come, which of the younger sires are showing the brilliance that could make them a legend of our times, a stallion for the ages? Here are sires that are moving up the charts in the world of harness horsee breeding, standardbred pacers:


HARNESS HORSE SIRE STATISTICS 2008

Leading Money Winning Pacing Sires in 2008

All Age Pacers - Maximum 650 Foals - 05OCT08


Bold = < 230 starters or < 550 foals

BETTOR'S DELIGHT
404 - 271 - $ 9,309,300


WESTERN IDEAL
443 - 228 - $ 8,611,406


DRAGON AGAIN
550 - 310 - $ 8,537,938


ART MAJOR
249 - 179 - $ 7,059,906


REAL ARTIST
614 - 322 - $ 6,791,403


BLISSFULL HALL
618 - 352 - $ 6,573,965


BADLANDS HANOVER
511 - 274 - $ 5,889,702


GRINFROMEARTOEAR
632 - 268 $ 5,356,255


REAL DESIRE
344 - 203 $ 5,113,731


MACH THREE
257 - 170 - $ 4,882,755

Deweycheatumnhowe wins thrilling 3rd heat Final of Kentucky Futurity

After Dewey and Celebrity Secret split the first two heats 1-1, Celeb drew the rail for the final with Dewycheatumnhowe leaving from post two. Celebrity Secret with John Campbell up led the entire mile, only to be eclipsed at the wire by a late charging Schnittker with a surging Dewey!!!

Full story of Kentucky Futurity final at UStrotting.com

Watch online video of Deweycheatumnhowe winning Kentucky Futurity over Celebrity Secret

Beach wins Tattersalls Pace in 147.4; Dewycheatumnhowe vs Celebrity Secret in Futurity

With many in Canada and around the world hoping for a new record today, Somebeachsomewhere didn't match last week's pace but was his usual spectacular self in winning yet again. Leaving fourth, Beach took over the lead from Lonestar Legend at the top of the backstretch, and it was clear sailing from there, 53.4, 121.2 and a healthy 26.2 sprint to the wire to defeat Lonestar Legend and Dali (3rd), tripping the wire in a crisp 1.47.4.

Here's hoping is a time trial is in the cards, if that's what is best for the colt's career and legacy ...

Art Official won his division of the Tattersalls Pace in 148.3, with Lisfinny 2nd and Mystery Chase showing.

In the Kentucky Futurity today, Deweycheatemnhowe won the first heat but the second went to Celebrity Secret, forcing a raceoff. Here are videos:

Online video of Deweycheatumnhowe winning heat of Kentucky Futurity

Video of Celebrity Secret winning Kentucky Futuriy heat


Video of the final of the Kentucky Futurity, Deweycheatumnhowe versus Celebrity Secret, will be posted online as soon as available. Thanks kindly.

Somebeachsomewhere draws 3 in Tattersalls Pace; Art Official gets rail in other division

Somebeachsomewhere gets post 3 on Saturday October 4th in the first division of the Tattersalls Pace at The Red Mle in Lexington, Kentucky, as "The Beach" and pilot Paul Macdonnell attempt to break their own all-time race record of 1.46.4, a world-record set last Saturday in the Bluegrass Stakes. If weather conditions permit, they'll also be taking a run at the fastest mile ever paced, the 1.46.1 time trial of Cambest in 1993. Good luck to Somebeachsomewhere, his connections and all his fans in Maritime Canada and around the world of harness horse racing.

Inside horses Dali (1) and Lonester Legend (2) will likely try for a trip behind Beach, as will Upfront Hannahsboy driven by the superstar Tim Tetrick, but if Somebeachsomewhere paces like last weekend, it will be difficult for them to stay close, as last Saturday he was on his own and just flying through the fractions.

The hoped-for rematch between Beach and Art Official will have to wait a bit longer, as Art Official drew the rail in the second division. Driven by Ron Pierce, Art Official will be challenged by Share The Delight (2) with John Campbell driving, and Mystery Chase (7) with Brian Sears up.

Happy Pacing!