Major Standardbred Stakes Races 2008 - October November December

Upcoming Harness Racing Stakes Events $50,000+++

For fans of trotting and pacing races, major harness horse stakes are being held in coming weeks, particularly the Matron Series at Dover Downs November 9th (tonight) and 15th, the $2.4 million Ontario Sires Stakes Super Finals on November 15th at Woodbine, and the $4.6 million Breeders Crown races on November 29th at The Meadowlands.

Major Autumn Harness Racing 2008 Stakes Events:


Race Date Track Age, Sex, Gait Name of Race Purse

11/09/08 DOVER DNS 3YO OPEN PACE PROGRESS 350,000
11/09/08 DOVER DNS 3YO FILLY TROT MATRON 229,000
11/09/08 DOVER DNS 3YO C&G TROT MATRON 224,000
11/09/08 DOVER DNS 3YO FILLY PACE MATRON 199,000

11/15/08 DOVER DNS 2YO C&G PACE MATRON 266,000
11/15/08 DOVER DNS 2YO FILLY PACE MATRON 230,000
11/15/08 DOVER DNS 2YO C&G TROT MATRON 224,000
11/15/08 DOVER DNS 2YO FILLY TROT MATRON 194,000

11/15/08 WOODBINE 2YO C&G PACE OSS SUPER FINAL 300,000
11/15/08 WOODBINE 2YO C&G TROT OSS SUPER FINAL 300,000
11/15/08 WOODBINE 2YO FILLY PACE OSS SUPER FINAL 300,000
11/15/08 WOODBINE 2YO FILLY TROT OSS SUPER FINAL 300,000
11/15/08 WOODBINE 3YO C&G PACE OSS SUPER FINAL 300,000
11/15/08 WOODBINE 3YO C&G TROT OSS SUPER FINAL 300,000
11/15/08 WOODBINE 3YO FILLY PACE OSS SUPER FINAL 300,000
11/15/08 WOODBINE 3YO FILLY TROT OSS SUPER FINAL 300,000

11/21/08 FLAMBORO 2YO FILLY PACE TRILLIUM 75,000

11/22/08 WESTERN FAIR 2YO FILLY TROT TRILLIUM 66,000

11/24/08 FLAMBORO 2YO C&G TROT BUD LIGHT STKS 70,000

11/27/08 NORTHLANDS 4YO H&G PACE PRAIRIE GOLD SS 70,000

11/28/08 KAWARTHA 2YO FILLY PACE TRILLIUM 75,000

11/28/08 NORTHLANDS 4YO MARE PACE PRAIRIE GOLD SS 70,000

11/29/08 MEADOWLANDS 2YO C&G PACE BREEDERS CROWN 650,000
11/29/08 MEADOWLANDS 2YO C&G TROT BREEDERS CROWN 650,000
11/29/08 MEADOWLANDS 2YO FILLY PACE BREEDERS CROWN 650,000
11/29/08 MEADOWLANDS 2YO FILLY TROT BREEDERS CROWN 650,000
11/29/08 MEADOWLANDS 3YO C&G PACE BREEDERS CROWN 500,000
11/29/08 MEADOWLANDS 3YO C&G TROT BREEDERS CROWN 500,000
11/29/08 MEADOWLANDS 3YO FILLY PACE BREEDERS CROWN 500,000
11/29/08 MEADOWLANDS 3YO FILLY TROT BREEDERS CROWN 500,000

11/29/08 NORTHLANDS 3YO FILLY PACE BREEDERS 50,000

11/29/08 WOODBINE 3YO C&G PACE AUTUMN SERIES (ONSS) 52,000

11/30/08 NORTHLANDS 3YO C&G PACE BLACK GOLD SS 70,000

11/30/08 WINDSOR 2YO FILLY TROT TRILLIUM 66,000

12/01/08 WOODBINE 3YO C&G TROT AUTUMN SERIES (ONSS) 50,000

12/05/08 MEADOWLANDS 3YO OPEN TROT CHARLES SINGER MEM 50,000

12/06/08 NORTHLANDS 2YO FILLY PACE DEBUTANTE SS 100,000

12/07/08 DOVER DNS 2YO C&G TROT DSBF 100,000
12/07/08 DOVER DNS 2YO FILLY TROT DSBF 100,000

12/07/08 NORTHLANDS 2YO C&G PACE HARVEST GOLD SS 100,000

12/08/08 DOVER DNS 2YO C&G PACE DSBF 100,000
12/08/08 DOVER DNS 2YO FILLY PACE DSBF 100,000

12/13/08 NORTHLANDS 3YO FILLY PACE HERITAGE SS 50,000

12/14/08 NORTHLANDS 3YO C&G PACE ROCKY MOUNTAIN 50,000

12/15/08 DOVER DNS 3YO C&G PACE MATRON 236,000

12/18/08 WOODBINE 3YO FILLY TROT AUTUMN SERIES (ONSS) 50,000

12/19/08 NORTHLANDS 4YO MARE PACE PRAIRIE MAGIC SS 50,000

12/20/08 MEADOWLANDS 3YO C&G PACE THE OIL BURNER 50,000

12/20/08 MEADOWLANDS 3YO FILLY PACE THE SNOW ANGEL 50,000

12/20/08 NORTHLANDS 3YO FILLY PACE SNOWFLAKE SS 50,000

12/20/08 NORTHLANDS 4YO H&G PACE PRAIRIE MAGIC SS 50,000

12/21/08 NORTHLANDS 3YO C&G PACE SNOWSHOE SS 50,000



November 15th is expected to be the final race of Somebeachsomewhere in Canada, which will be followed for him by the Breeders Crown and potentially the Matron in Dover before heading off to stud at the prestigious Hanover Shoe Farms. It is said that of the farm's 300 well-bred mares, all but 4 represent good crosses for The Beach.

I am hoping that the Breeders Crown final for 3 year old colts and geldings includes all of the top sophomores:

Tier One

Somebeachsomewhere
Art Official
Shadow Play
Badlands Nitro


Tier Two

Santanna Blue Chip
Bullville Powerful
Mucho Sleazy
Keystone Horatio
Blueridge Western
McCedes
Dali


If Breeders Crown day brings us a final with 3 of the top 4 (Art Official is done for the season but will likely come back in the spring), plus another 3 or 4 from the tier two list, then this will be a truly exciting way to finish off a record-breaking year in pacing.

Somebeachsomewhere sets world record for 3 year olds of 1.47; Places!

Meadowlands Pace 2008

Art Official Wins An Incredible Horse Race

Somebeachsomewhere was cut off on the first turn and raced two wide and three wide from there to the three-quarter pole and set such blistering fractions (reaching the half in 51.4 and the three quarters in 1.19.1!) that it was all he could do to hold off Art Official until the final moment when the talented son of Art Major and grandson of Artsplace got half a head ahead at the wire, and Beach's lifetime victory streak was over. They were both timed in 1.47 flat with Share The Delight third in 1.48, the fourth through sixth horses (Mucho Sleazy, Sand Shooter, Tiz A Masterpiece) all were race-timed in 1.48.1 and the seven th horse Atochia was clocked at 1.48.4 meaning seven horses coming home in under 1.49. How far have we come from Niatross and Nihilator.

Beach is no longer an undefeated horse, but anyone who witnessed the effort knows that this race only adds to the legend, and he's likely to get a smoother trip next time out. Tonight he paced a long mile, perhaps an extra 30 to 40 yards or more, and also faced some mild interference early in the first turn, so by this performance it would seem he is capable of going in 1.46 flat.

Ponder how the records fall.

Billy Direct stuns the world in 1.55

Steady Star electrifies racing in 1.52

Niatross and his son Nihilator each go below 1.50 and flirt with 1.49

Can Beach be the first in 1.46?

Is Art Official still getting better?




Have some fun:

Harness Horse Breeding Racing and Betting Blog

Bees Trees Nature, Science and Ecology Website

Canadian Rock-Reggae Singer Yuya Joe

Alternative Energy Investments, Solar Power Stocks Info

Renewable Energy Funds, Windpower Investment Links

Geothermal Energy Investments, Geothermal Power Company Websites

The Toronto Sound - New Canadian Rock Music Downloads

Environmental Realty Website - Green Realtor Blog

Somebeachsomewhere wins Meadowlands Pace elim in 1:48.3; final is Sat 19JUL

After destroying another quality field and setting a 3 year old and lifetime mark of 1:48.3, Somebeachsomewhwere remains undefeated and will face a stiff test on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. For more info, check this Daily News article by Dave Little below.

later,

Joe Trainor (it's my real name, honest!!!)



Somebeachsomewhere preps for Meadowlands Pace Final

BY DAVE LITTLE, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Even before he stepped on to a track in the United States, the hype had been though the roof. After winning his elimination in an electric 1:48.3 last week, Somebeachsomewhere has done nothing to temper expectations.

Saturday night at the Meadowlands Racetrack is another big step. That's when he faces nine seemingly overmatched foes in the $1.1 million Meadowlands Pace for 3-year-olds, the track's signature event (post time, 10:14 p.m.).

There are reasons for the buzz surrounding the son of 2002 Pace winner Mach Three. Last year as a 2-year-old, he won all six of his starts and became the fastest freshman in the sport's history when he won the Metro (at Mohawk Racetrack, near Toronto) in 1:49.3.
He has come back this year perfect in four tries, including a dominant score in the $1.5 million North America Cup (at Mohawk), but was most impressive last week when he ventured outside of his native Canada for the first time in his career.

In his Meadowlands Pace elimination, the Brent MacGrath trainee toyed with his foes - even after being away from the races for a month - winning by 4-1/2lengths in a lifetime-best 1:48.3. His final quarter of :26.2 amazed all who saw it because of a nearly 20-mph wind. MacGrath, who spent $40,000 at auction to acquire the lone tenant in his stable, exuded low-key confidence at the Pace post draw on Tuesday.

"The horse was on a 30-day (layoff), so he's got to be tighter this week," said MacGrath. "I trained him three times total during that month off. He loves to race and he bounced out of this race real sharp."

The three elimination winners got to choose their post positions after drawing lots. Somebeachsomewhere will leave from post two for driver Paul MacDonell (who's been friends with MacGrath for 25 years) and has been installed as the 2-5 favorite on track oddsmaker Dave Brower's morning line.

Share The Delight has the rail and is 10-1 for John Campbell, whose seven Pace victories are by far the most of any driver. Sand Shooter is 8-1 from post three for Tim Tetrick, who guided 2007 Pace winner Southwind Lynx.

Opposing camps have nothing but respect for the likely 1-5 post-time favorite. "I never got to watch (the horse widely recognized as the greatest ever) Niatross race," Tetrick said. "But this is the greatest horse I have ever seen."

"I think Somebeachsomewhere is in a league of his own," said Share The Delight's trainer, Linda Toscano. "But we're sure going to give (beating him) a try."

Three-time Big M driving champion Bill O'Donnell drove Niatross' greatest son, Nihilator, to victory in the 1985 Pace, lowering his sire's stakes-mark of 1:53.1 to a then unheard-of 1:50.3.
"They can't catch (Somebeachsomewhere) to find out if they can look him in the eye and wear him down," said O'Donnell. "He goes :27 quarters like he's walking."

Woodbine Racetrack 2008 Harness Racing Stakes schedule

TORONTO, January 22 - Woodbine Entertainment Racetrack in Canada today announced its lucrative 2008 Standardbred stakes schedule, which includes the 25th renewal of the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup at Mohawk.

The stakes calendar, worth more than $20 million in stakes finals this year, is the richest on the continent.

The Pepsi North America Cup, WEG's signature harness race, will be held for just the second time at Mohawk on Saturday, June 14. The card will offer more than $3 million in stakes action. Also featured are the $720,000 Fan Hanover Stakes, the $532,000 Elegantimage Stakes and the $335,000 Goodtimes Stakes.

WEG has two other seven-figure events slated for 2008. The $1 million Metro Pace is set for Saturday, August 30 and the $1 million Canadian Trotting Classic on Saturday, September 13. Both races are at Mohawk.

The organization is also proud to host $1.5 million Breeders Crown for older trotters and pacers as part of the Metro Pace card, which includes the $780,000 Shes A Great Lady Pace.

"Once again we're pleased to offer what we believe is the finest stakes program in harness racing," said Bruce Murray, WEG's Vice-President of Standardbred Racing. "We sincerely appreciate the support that owners and trainers have shown in supporting these terrific events."

In addition to the 'Big Three' stakes, Mohawk will play host to several other major events including the $750,000 Canadian Pacing Derby (Saturday, August 16) and the $700,000 Maple Leaf Trot (Saturday, September 20).

The $535,000 William Wellwood Memorial and the $575,000 Peaceful Way Stakes, formerly known as the Oakville, re-named in honour of the great champion, will take place on Sunday, September 14 at Mohawk.

Both the $2.5 million Fall Four card (Saturday, October 25) and the $2.4 million OSS Super Finals (Saturday, November 15), will once again be contested at Woodbine.

Click here to view the entire 2008 stakes schedule .