March Standardbred News; Harness Racing Roundup

Here are some stories from today, the past week and the month of March 2009 to keep pacing and trotting fans informed as the stakes season approaches.

Standardbred Racing Recap - March 2009

Shadow Play trained down to 2.15 despite rough weather in PEI

Wildcat Shoes (68,000), Space Walk ($66,000) and Chief Karen ($64,000) top Flamboro's March Madness sale

Legendary sire Beach Towel dies in New Zealand at 27

Mr Feelgood wins Inter Dominion in Australia

Ramegade Bruiser wins opening round of Spring Pacing Championship

Michel Lachance enjoyed winter off, readying for return to stakes racing

Blueridge Western dominates in Levy Memorial Pacing Series opener

Chancey Lady wins fastest division of Blue Chip Matchmaker at Yonkers

Pocono Downs to host Breeders Crown in 2010, Woodbine in 2011

Newfoundland's Brad Forward edges Guy Gagnon to win NDC at Fraser Downs

View Online videos of all 8 National Driving Championship races at Fraser Downs


From the StandardbredCanada.ca website:

Eight of Canada's best drivers converged at Fraser Downs on Saturday afternoon for a chance to represent our country in the World Driving Championship and with two wins, a second and three thirds, Brad Forward earned the 2009 National Driving Championship title with a total of 65 points.

Going into the final leg, representatives from each region including Gilles Barrieau, Brad Forward, Guy Gagnon and Kelly Hoerdt had earned enough points to remain in the running for the NDC title.

In the last race, Forward secured the title with a win in rein to Kg Mattattack, who survived a first-over journey to triumph in 1:55.4 ahead of Geraint Hanover (Daniel Potvin) in a photo finish while Popular Demand (Guy Gagnon) rounded out the top three.

Forward said he tried not to look at the scoreboard during the challenge and he did not know that he had won the title after the final leg.

“I'm really stuck for words,” said Forward following the official NDC presentation. “It's been an amazing experience. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without the support of my family.”

Fifteen members of Forward’s family including his wife, Sandra, and three daughters, Kaitlyn, Melissa and Jessica, were in attendance to cheer him on throughout the eight-race challenge. Forward’s parents, siblings and nephews travelled across the country from Newfoundland to support the Ontario representative.

Forward will represent Canada in the World Driving Championship scheduled in Norway from May 14-20.

Full article on NDC at Fraser Downs including videos of all the races at www.standardbredcanada.ca

Somebeachsomewhere - Fastest Harness Horse Ever?

Considering that Beach raced against the best in the world and was only beaten once (by a rough trip), he is certainly a candidate for the best pacer ever. Here are some of the many online articles and web tributes:

Online tribute to and photos of pacer Somebeachsomewhere
Courtesy of www.HarnessHorses.info 11-30-2008

Somebeachsomewhere named Horse of the Year
Courtesy of USTA 2-5-2009

O'Brien Awards ceremony becomes a "Beach party"
Courtesy of USTA 01-31-2009

Somebeachsomewhere Voted 2008 Cam Fella Award Recipient
Courtesy of Stanadardbred Canada 01-05-2009

Somebeachsomewhere On CBC
Courtesy of Harness Edge 12-30-2008

Perkins Names 'Beach' Canada's Best Performer
Courtesy of Standardbred Canada 12-27-2008

Somebeachsomewhere Breaks Earnings Record
Courtesy of Standardbred Canada 11-29-2008

No spoiling the 'Beach' party in Breeders Crown
Courtesy of USTA 11-29-2008

Online Photographic Essay on Somebeachsomewhere
Courtesy of Harness Edge 11-19-2008

More Praise For 'The Beach'
Courtesy of Standardbred Canada 11-13-2008

Mainstream TV Features On 'The Beach'
Courtesy of Standardbred Canada 11-13-2008

Somebeachsomewhere wins Messenger Stakes
Courtesy of USTA 10-25-2008

Hanover Shoe Farms lands Somebeachsomewhere for stallion roster
Article about Somebeachsomewhere--Courtesy of USTA 10-8-2008

Somebeachsomewhere Best 6 Racelines, fastest harness horse ever:


27 September 2008 Red Mile Bluegrass $134 000 1/7H 1:46.4 27.2

World record mark, fastest time ever over any track by a 3 year old.



19 July 2008 Meadowlands M Pace F $1 100 000 2/NK 1:47.0 27.4

Tied for 2nd fastest race time ever (at the time, fastest ever) by a 3 year old with race winner Art Official. His over-long trip probably added three lengths or more to the journey, so this was one of if not the very best race of Beach's career. Ironic that it's considered his only "loss", when he set a world record and gave the greatest performance I've ever witnessed in harness racing.



4 October 2008 Red Mile Tattersalls $293 000 1/3H 1:47.4 26.2

Tied Stakes record with world record 3rd time under 1.48. One week after setting 3 year old world record.



29 November 2008 Meadowlands BC Final $500 000 1 1:48.3 26.3

Stakes Record (shattering the previous record by 1 1/5 seconds!) Breeders Crown 2008 Championship win by 1 3/4 lengths over Shadow Play capped a brilliant career record of 20 wins and one 2nd in 21 lifetime starts. 3 Year Old (All Ages??) World record FIFTH RACE in 1.48.3 or faster, and world record EIGHTH TIME in 1.49.0 or faster!!!



17 August 2008 Flamboro Confed F $493 000 1/4 1:49.2 26.3

2nd heat and same-day final Beach sets world record on half mile track of 1.49.2 over 4 turns!!!



1 September 2007 Mohawk D-Metro $1 000 000 1/2 1:49.3 27.4

In the Metro Pace final last year Somebeachsomewhere set a 2 year old pacing world record of 1.49.3, setting the stage for 2008's world-beating performance.


Beach as a 2 year old:

Somebeachsomewhere winning 2007 Metro Pace Final online video


Beach as a 3 year old:

5 minute video of Somebeachsomewhere winning 2008 North America Cup

6 min. video Somebeachsomewhere victory 2008 Pepsi North America Cup

Somebeachsomewhere video winning 2008 Confederation Cup 1.49.2

First heat elimination win 2008 Confederation Cup, Somebeachsomewhere video


2009 Fundraiser for Moncton Horsemen's Association:

Somebeachsomewhere's leather halter from Tattersalls / Bluegrass races in Kentucky auction on ebay

Birthday Tribute to Somebeachsomewhere videos of all his races online

Paul Macdonell, Marc Campbell, Bill Davis compete in National Driving Championship at Fraser Downs

Canada's top harness racing drivers compete in BC today

March 21, 2009

BY YVONNE ZACHARIAS, VANCOUVER SUN

When most of us hear the words “some beach somewhere,” we think of palm trees, silky white sand and a seamless vista of blue — blue water and blue sky.

Not Paul McDonell. Canada’s top harness driver thinks of the trusty steed called Somebeachsomewhere, who has carried him to victory after victory.

With more than $90 million in lifetime earnings as a harness driver, the mild-mannered man from Guelph, Ont., has soared to riches and fame in the dusty, insular world of the race track, although the average Canadian wouldn’t know it. Harness driving is one of those niche sports that largely flies below the radar in this country, unless you live in the Maritimes or parts of Ontario.

Ironically, Canada is recognized worldwide for producing hardworking drivers and prowess in the sport.

Vancouverites will get a chance to see McDonell — as well as seven other top harness drivers, who have flown here from across the country — at the 2009 national driving championship at Fraser Downs in Surrey today. It marks the first time the seminal competition will be held in B.C. The winner will represent Canada at the world championship in Norway in May.

Full online article on Canada's Nationa Driving Championship for standardbred horses


National Driving Championship Harness Driver Profiles

• Gilles Barrieau
• Marc Campbell
• Bill Davis
• Brad Forward
• Guy Gagnon
• Kelly Hoerdt
• Paul MacDonell
• Daniel Potvin