Somebeachsomewhere edges Shadow Play to win Breeders Crown in 1.48.3

Beach was sensational as usual, and the comparisons to Cam Fella and Niatross will be made for decades. With 4 world records and the greatest 3 year old campaign ever for a pacer under his belt, Somebeachsomewhere made believers of all with his convincing victory in this evening's Breeders Crown Pace for 3 Year Old Colts and Geldings.


Watch Online Video of Somebeachsomewhere winning Breeders Crown

Right behind Paul Macdonnell and Beach at the wire were Shadow Play with David Miller, while Blueridge Western with Dave Palone driving was a close third. For standardbred racing fans from Atlantic Canada, it was a 1-2 Maritimes harness racing triumph as Nova Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick shared ownership in the two awesome pacers Somebeachsomewhere (NS, NB) and Shadow Play (PEI, NB, QUE).

Somebeachsomewhere trainer Brent Mcgrath is among the many who belive that Beach is the Horse of the Year.

He had four world records before he came here tonight. He’s never went a bad race, he has a single season's earning record. How is the door (to Horse of the Year) not open before tonight? It’s about zero degrees (Celsius) in Canada and it was 75 in Lexington and he was every bit as impressive as Lexington.

I think that he is the Horse of the Decade, the pacer who will be remembered as the fastest of the first decade of the twentieth century, and the fastest 3 year old ever on the racetrack at the time he raced.

Complete 2008 Breeders Crown results online

USTrotting.com Honours Maritime Canada Racehorses

The year 2008 in standardbred horse racing will always be remembered as a treasure for harness racing fans from Atlantic Canada, for never in our lifetimes will we expect to see another crop as powerful and entertaining as Somebeachsomewhere, Shadow Play and Santanna Blue Chip.










With the Breeders Crown standardbred stakes championship this Saturday 29NOV08, many racing fans will be watching Deweycheatumnhowe, Muscle Hill and other 2008 trotting and pacing stars, but folks from the Canadian Maritimes provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island will be focused on Shadow Play (incl. Habs great Serge Savard along with PEI and NB owners) and "Beach" (owned by NS and NB people), the fastest pacer ever and a truly exciting athlete for the ages.











Here's an excerpt from the excellent UStrotting.com article on Maritime horses in the 2008 Breeders Crown:



East Rutherford, NJ --- A thousand miles away from the bright lights of Broadway and the incandescent oval that is the Meadowlands Racetrack sit the Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, collectively known as The Maritimes.

The region's 1.8 million residents are blessed with abundant natural resources, including skilled horsemen and passionate harness racing fans who will have rooting interests in the nearly $6 million in purses distributed in eight Breeders Crown races that highlight the program on Saturday night, November 29, at the Meadowlands.

Some portion of those millions could well be returning to the Maritimes thanks to the pride of Nova Scotia and Horse of the Year contender Somebeachsomewhere and his prime competition, Shadow Play, who carries the hopes of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Additionally, Maritime-born trainers Greg Peck, Carl Jamieson, Jeffrey Gillis, and Angus MacDonald, as well as Hall of Fame driver Bill O'Donnell, will be among those seeking Breeders Crown trophies.

"Somebeachsomewhere has become a folk hero in the Maritimes," noted Doug Harkness, a journalist who has been chronicling the story for the paper he publishes, the Atlantic Post Calls, and other newspapers in the region, including The Guardian, Truro Daily News, New Glasgow News and the Summerside Journal Pioneer.

Somebeachsomewhere, who comes into the $500,000 Breeders Crown 3-year-old colt pace with 19 wins in 20 lifetime starts, will wrap up his racing career on Saturday night. He is trained by Brent MacGrath, who is also a member of the ownership, the Schooner Stables of Westchester Station, Nova Scotia.

"His connections are Nova Scotians, but the horse has a great following throughout the Maritime Provinces," said Harkness. "Brent MacGrath, a car salesman from Truro, has been a hobby horseman for years -- he once had a small stable at the old Greenwood Raceway in Truro, where he met and became great friends with Paul MacDonell, who has driven Somebeachsomewhere in all of his races."

Somebeachsomewhere is closing in on the $3 million mark in career earnings.
It was MacGrath who put together the partnership of six, each of whom invested $10,000, to head to the fall 2006 sales to buy a yearling. At the Lexington Selected Sale, he spotted Somebeachsomewhere, the son of Mach Three-Wheres The Beach, and paid $40,000. The 3-year-old has a bankroll of $2,971,299, thanks to his string of stakes victories, including the North America Cup.

"Brent and Reg Petitpas of Shediac Bridge, New Brunswick, are the only two members of the stable with a racing background," explained Harkness. "Petitpas has owned horses for about 30 years and co-owns the good invitational horse Silent Swing, a winner of more than $1 million and a solid third-place finisher in this year's William R. Haughton. He also co-owns the 3-year-old Giddy Up Lucky, who was fifth in the Little Brown Jug.


Full article on Somebeachsomewhere and Shadow Play in 2008 Breeders Crown pacing final

Shadow Play picks 2 hole, Beach draws 3; Dewey gets post 8

The post positions for the 3 year old Breeders Crown stakes races at The Meadowlands next Saturday, November 29th have been published.


Post positions for sophomore Breeders Crown divisions were drawn Saturday evening at the Meadowlands. The $4.9 million championships for two- and three-year-old trotters and pacers have finals scheduled for Saturday, Post time 7:00 p.m.

3YO Colt Pace - PP, Horse, Driver, Trainer

1, Blueridge Western, D Palone, K Mc Dermott
2, Shadow Play, D Miller, I Moore
3, Somebeachsomewhere, P MacDonell, B MacGrath
4, Share The Delight, Y Gingras, L Toscano
5, Dali, TBA, D Marfisi
6, Rudy Rednose, B Sears, G Teague Jr
7, Blue Claw, M Lachance, M Ford
8, Mystery Chase, G Brennan, D Russell
9, Bettor Sweet, C Manzi, J Poliseno
10, Lisfinny, J Campbell, R Mc Intosh

Somebeachsomewhere and Dali accepted byes into the final.


3YO Colt Trot - PP, Horse, Driver, Trainer

1, John Paul's Legacy, Angus Mac Donald, Angus Mac Donald
2, Holiday Credit, Ron Pierce, Jimmy Takter
3, In Focus, Dave Palone, Jimmy Takter
4, Broadway Marquis, Wim Paal, Wim Paal
5, Napoleon, Brian Sears, Noel Daley
6, Make It Happen, Ray Schnittker, Ray Schnittker
7, Cloud Casino, David Miller, Ross Croghan
8, Deweycheatumnhowe, Ray Schnittker, Ray Schnittker
9, Celebrity Secret, John Campbell, Staffan Lind
10, Crazed, Tim Tetrick, Frank Antonacci
11, Clerk Magistrate, Trevor Ritchie, Per Henriksen

All 11 entrants advanced to the final.


3YO Filly Trot - PP, Horse, Driver, Trainer

1, Somebody To Love, D Miller, R Croghan
2, Poster Pin Up, B Sears, T Smedshammer
3, No Pain No Gain, D Dube, J Czernyson
4, Feels Like Magic, W O' Donnell, R Norman
5, Stage Show, D Palone, J Campbell
6, Creamy Mimi, T Smedshammer, T Smedshammer
7, Kadealia, T Tetrick, G Teague Jr
8, Lantern Kronos, J Campbell, J Takter
9, Bella Dolce, P MacDonell, R Norman
10, Epangeline, R Schnittker, R Schnittker

Creamy Mimi, Lantern Kronos and Bella Dolce accepted byes into the final.


3YO Filly Pace - PP, Horse, Driver, Trainer

1, Tug River Princess, J Campbell, R Croghan
2, Knock Three Times, A Miller, E Miller
3, Native Bride, B Sears, J Sears
4, Chancey Lady, D Dube, R Bilach
5, A and G'sconfusion, D Miller, C Coleman
6, Hannah Isabel, Y Gingras, J Drolet
7, Btwnurheartnmine, T Tetrick, R Croghan
8, Kelly's Keepsake, R Pierce, E Miller
9, Stylish Artist, D Miller, R Croghan
10, Good News Lady, G Grismore, J Takter




Saturday's Breeder's Crown racing card at Meadowlands in New Jersey will likely be the final racing performances of Somebeachsomewhere and Deweycheatumnhowe, as they head off to stud, but the Blue Chip connections of Shadow Play have announced he'll race at 4 before stallion duties the following year. 2009 may provide some great Art Official / Shadow Play duels, assuming each can come back healthy.

Shadow Play draws post 6 for Breeders Crown Elim; Beach, Dali head to final

While Somebeachsomewhere and Dali are taking the week off and entering straight into the final, Shadow Play is taking the opportunity to use the elimination as a tuneup. He drew post position six and is facing the likes of Upfront Hannahsboy, Mystery Chase, Bettor Sweet and Share The Delight.


6th - Sixth Race Purse: $25,000

Distance: 1mi PACE


PP Horse Driver Best Last 3

1 Blue Claw M Lachance 1:50.1 2-8-4

2 Mystery Chase G Brennan 1:49.2 1-6-1

3 Lisfinny J Campbell 1:50.1 1-8-1

4 Share The Delight Y Gingras 1:50.2 1-6-1

5 Rudy Rednose B Sears 1:52.3 2-2-5

6 Shadow Play D Miller 1:48.2 1-2-1

7 Upfront Hannahsboy T Tetrick 1:49.2 1-6-4

8 Blueridge Western D Palone 1:50.1 1-2-2

9 Bettor Sweet C Manzi 1:49.3 1-3-2

10 Riggins R Schnittker 1:54.1 7-4-6


Deweycheatemnhowe and the other 3 year old colt trotters all drew straight into the Breeders Crown Finals, November 29th at The Meadowlands. The final race of Somebeachsomewhere, and likely Dewey also, means a historic evening for harness racing and a day to be remembered for a long time.

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.