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Sunday, December 28, 2008
Harness Racing 2008; Dream Year for Maritimes Canada Standardbred Racing Fans
For the North American Harness Racing industry as a whole, it was a year of more positives than negatives. Beach and Dewey each achieved a well-earned star status, while Muscle Hill showed early speed that just got stronger as the season wore on. The 3 year old pacing crop had four $1 million plus winners (Somebeachsomewhere, Art Official, Shadow Play, Badlands Hanover) plus Dali and Santanna Blue Chip.
Here are some USA and Canadian harness racing news stories from 2008:
Jim Whelan stance in OHHA / WEG contract dispute defended - Dec 29, 2008
Dali wins Matron Stakes in World Record 1.48.2 - Dec 15, 2008
Southwind Farm buys interest in Muscle Hill - Dec 6, 2008
Online Tribute: Somebeachsomewhere retires to stud as richest, fastest 3 year old pacer EVER - Nov 30, 2008
Muscle Hill trots to world record victory in Breeders Crown Final - Nov 30, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere edges Shadow Play to win Breeders Crown in 1.48.3 - Nov 29, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere SENSATIONAL in OSS Super Final - Nov 16, 2008
Shadow Play races 2009 for new partnership - Nov 16, 2008
Enough Talk has a cool pedigree; World-record trotter from outcross branch of main sire line - Oct 12, 2008
Shadow Play edges Badlands Nitro to win Windy City Pace - Oct 11, 2008
Top Trotting Sires of 2008, Emerging Star Stallions - Oct 5, 2008
Deweycheatumnhowe wins thrilling 3rd heat Final of Kentucky Futurity - Oct 4, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere wins Bluegrass, ties all-age world-record with 1:46.4! - Sep 27, 2008
Standardbred Horse Books; Gifts for Harness Racing Fans - Sep 20, 2008
Western Hanover Line 1st and 2nd in Jug; PEI's Shadow Play wins on leather shoe in final - Sep 2008
Dewey wins Canadan Trotting Classic; Beach to race at Woodbine!!! - Sep 13, 2008
Volomite sire line ascending with Somebeachsomewhere, Garland Lobell sires - Aug 30, 2008
SomeBeachSomewhere online videos and fan website links - Aug 21, 2008
Gold Cup & Saucer To Pownal Bay Matt - Aug 17, 2008
SomeBeachSomewhere - World-Record 1.49.2 at Flamboro Downs on a half-mile track!!! - Aug 14, 2008
Research Standardbred Harness Horse Boodlines - No Registration required - Jul 20, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere sets world record for 3 year olds of 1.47; Places to Art Official! - Jul 19, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere Online Race Videos
Beach as a 2 year old:
Somebeachsomewhere race video, 2007 Metro Pace Final Win
Beach as a 3 year old:
Website with Video of Somebeachsomewhere 2008 Breeders Crown Win
Watch Somebeachsomewhere's 1.46.4 world record at The Red Mile online video
2008 Meadowlands Pace Final Art Official noses out Somebeachsomewhere in world record
Monday, December 15, 2008
Dali wins Matron Stakes in World Record 1.48.2!!!
Congrats to Dali and all his connections on a great finish to a solid season. The ascending 3 year old colt broke the track record, the Matron Stakes record and tied the world record for a 3 year old pacer on a 5/8 mile track, set by Shadow Play in the Adios earlier this year.
HN Horse Driver Win Place Show
6 Dali Ron Pierce 3.60 2.40 2.20
2 Blueridge Western Dave Palone 2.80 2.10
4 Lisfinny David Miller 2.20
Time: 1:48.2
Finish Order: Dali, Blueridge Western, Lisfinny, Santanna Blue Chip, Proper Respect, Jo Pa`s Wild Card, First Rate, Mystery Chase
With this convincing victory Dali lowered his lifetime mark by a second and set himself up nicely for stud duties, whether it be in 2009 or 2010.
Read the USTA article on Dali winning the Matron Stakes at Dover Downs
Once again it proves to be Matts Scooter's year. Somebeachsomewhere is by his son Mach Three. Shadow Play is out of Matts Filly, a daughter of Matts Scooter and Breezes Girl, by Warm Breeze.
Dali, a son of Real Desire out of the Matts Scooter daughter Armbro Tea, is the star of the Holyday Season and makes grandad Matts proud yet again. Considering the robust and improving form Dali showed in the elimination and final, had Somebeachsomewhere been there it's likely there would have been an incredible stretch duel between Beach and Dali, with the winner breaking the world record. Even as it is, Dali's victory over a sharp Blueridge Western and a strong Lisfinny is a completely satisfying way for a Canadian stantardbred racing fan to end the harness horse stakes racing season. For someone with PEI (dad) and NB (mom) heritage, 2009 will always be remembered as the Dream Season. Dali is some beautiful icing on the cake for all his fans in Ontario, and across Canada, the USA and around the world.
Here's thanks to all involved in harness racing in 2008, and may you have an inspiring, fun, adventurous and rewarding 2009!!!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Dali lowers mark to 1.49.2 in Matron elim; Beach scratched, off to stud
First Rate led through early fractions of 26.1 and 54.2, but Dali was first over and was only a nose behind at the 3/4 in 1.21.4. From there Dali took command and paced home in 27.3 for his new lifetime mark of 1.49.2. Lisfunny placed, Santanna Blue Chip took third and First Rate held on for fourth.
In the second elimination race, Somebeachsomewhere was scratched due to a virus (he'll now head to Hanover Shoe Farms to prepare for his mare book), so Blueridge Western went to post as the prohibitive favorite and did not disappoint, winning in a relaxed 1.51.1, with Proper Respect in second, Jo Pa's Wild Card third, and Mystery Chase fourth.
Tom's Toy won the $100,000 final of the Delaware Breeders Stakes for 2 year Old Fillies in 1.54.4
Full results from Delaware Breeders and Matron Stakes Races at Dover Downs
NOTE for Harness Horse Breeders: Four of the big names in this year's sensational 3 year old pacing crop are grandsons of Matts Scooter. Somebeachsomewhere is by Matts' son Mach Three, while Shadow Play, Santanna Blue Chip and Dali are all out of Matts Scooter mares.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere draws post 4 for Matron Stakes elimination at Dover Downs Monday
Race 10
PP Horse Med 2008 Year to Date Driver Trainer ML Base
Sts W P S Time Earnings Stable Odds Claim
1 Santanna Blue Chip L 14 2 4 4 Q1:53.1M $666502 Jody Jamieson Carl Jamieson
2 Trade Editor 21 5 1 4 1:51.1S $143354 Andy Miller Julie Miller
3 Lisfinny 24 5 3 3 1:50.1F $198543 David Miller Robert Mc Intosh
4 Dali 17 2 2 4 1:50.1F $453941 Ron Pierce Duane Marfisi
5 First Rate 21 4 3 3 1:49.0Z $91862 Tim Curtin Samuel Beegle
6 Dina`s Gamble 9 2 4 1 1:53.3F $56675 Brandon Givens Wayne Givens
Somebeachsomewhere's in the Race 12 elimination for the Matron Stakes; Beach drew post four, and Blueridge Western looks like his main competition, leaving from the 3 hole. Other challengers include Mystery Chase, a winner of over $380,000, and Proper Respect with 9 wins and over 150k on the card.
Race 12
1 Jo Pa`s Wild Card L 21 4 7 2 1:51.3F $81056 Corey Callahan Jim Campbell
2 Dragon King L 21 6 1 4 1:51.2F $141444 David Miller Roy Williams
3 Blueridge Western L 21 3 9 2 1:50.1M $513716 Dave Palone Kevin Mc Dermott
4 Somebeachsomewhere 15 14 1 0 1:46.4M $2448003 Paul Mac Donell Brent Mac Grath
5 Proper Respect L 22 9 5 3 1:49.3M $153996 Ron Pierce Carlo Poliseno
6 Mystery Chase L 22 5 4 4 1:49.2M $382246 Donnie Russell Donnie Russell
Shadow Play to get Hero’s Welcome Saturday at Charlottetown Driving Park
The brilliant colt is trained by Dr. Ian Moore of Winsloe, and owned by PEI's Doc Moore, Quebec's Serge Savard and the RG Group (Ron and Gail McLellan) of New Brunswick. Shadow Play is expected to stand for Blue Chip in the USA and in either Australia or New Zealand. Even racing there isn't out of the question.
"I would love to come for a visit ‘Down Under. Your industry is very progressive and a lot of your horses compete well up here. It's something I have always wanted to do," said PEI's Moore.
Regarding his highly anticipated return to Prince Edward island, his trainer was looking forward to the appreciation.
"We will be taking him home on Tuesday in his newly bought trailer and the Charlottetown Driving Park is holding a ‘Shadow Play day' on Saturday afternoon. We are pitching in with some purse money and giveaways. It should be a great day," Dr Moore said.
Full story on Shadow Play's return to Charlottetown PEI on HarnessLink.com
Charlottetown Driving Park official website
Shadow Play to race in 2009, stand at Blue Chip Farms in 2010 - The Guardian
Monday, December 1, 2008
Beach to Race in Matron Stakes at Dover!!!
I've loved everything about the way Somebeachsomewhere's career has been handled, and this latest surprise is a truly unexpected dessert. The eliminations if necessary will be a week from tonight on Monday, December 8th, with the Matron Stakes Final going to post December 15, 2008.
Congatulations on an amazing season that just keeps rolling on to Brent McGrath, Jean-Louis Arsenault, Paul Macdonnell, co-owners James Bagnell, Pamela Dean, Reg Pettipas, Garry Pye, Stuart Rath and breeder Stephanie Smith-Rothaug.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Online Tribute: Somebeachsomewhere retires to stud as richest, fastest 3 year old pacer EVER
Somebeachsomewhere (Mach Three - Where's The Beach, by Beach Towel)
Beach has brought excitement and joy to many, and he raced his heart out every night he set foot on the track. I would suspect that I am not the only person to have the standardbred flame rekindled and stirred by this incredible racehorse.
Much respect to Brent Mcgrath, Paul Macdonnell and all the colt's connections, who were gracious and exemplary during Somebeachsomewhere's rise to prominence. Now standing at Hanover Shoe Farms in Pennsylvania for a stallion fee of US$20,000, he will be bred to the finest mares from the fastest families, and the sport moves forward yet again.
Somebeachsomewhere Best 6 Racelines, fastest pacing 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.
Somebeachsomewhere Tributes and Links
Photographic Tribute to Somebeachsomewhere by Clive Cohen at MonsterFromTheMaritimes.com
Somebeachsomewhere page on Wikipedia
Website of Somebeachsomewhere's grandsire Matts Scooter
Sire of Somebeachsomewhere, info on Mach Three, webpage MachThree.net
Sire of Somebeachsomewhere's dam Where's The Beach, Beach Towel
Somebeachsomewhere Online Videos
Beach as a 2 year old:
Somebeachsomewhere video, 2007 Metro Pace Final
Beach as a 3 year old:
Online Video of Somebeachsomewhere 2008 Breeders Crown Victory
Watch Video of Somebeachsomewhere's 1.46.4 world record at The Red Mile
2008 Meadowlands Pace Final Art Official outlasts Somebeachsomewhere in world record time
Video of Somebeachsomewhere winning OSS Super Final at Woodbine Raceway Toronto
Beach winning 2008 Messenger Pace at Yonkers
Somebeachsomewhere video wins 2008 Pepsi North America Cup
Somebeachsomewhere victory 2008 Pepsi NA Cup, 6 minute video
Video of Somebeachsomewhere 2008 Confederation Cup 1.49.2 world record
First heat win 2008 Confederation Cup, Somebeachsomewhere online video
The fact that Somebeachsomewhere was able to dominate in a year that also featured Shadow Play and Art Official will just add to Beach's Legend.
Beach enjoying a snack of hay (Somebeachsomewhere photo by Raging Mike).
Shadow Play in a striking portrait by Raging Mike
Art Official was a tough competitor for Somebeachsomewhere and Shadow Play in 2008, and the night of the Meadowlands Pace Art Official was the fastest 3 year old ever, a record eclipsed by Beach a few months later in Kentucky.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere edges Shadow Play to win Breeders Crown in 1.48.3
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
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
USTrotting.com Honours Maritime Canada Racehorses
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
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Shadow Play picks 2 hole, Beach draws 3; Dewey gets post 8
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.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Shadow Play draws post 6 for Breeders Crown Elim; Beach, Dali head to final
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.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere SENSATIONAL in OSS Super Final
Beach is now off to the Meadowlands for the Breeders Crown (finals Nov 29) before heading over to Hanover Show Farms where he will stand as one of the premier stallions in harness racing.
Horse PP 1/4 1/2 3/4 Stretch Finish Time 1/4 Driver Odds Trainer
Woodbine 7th Race 15NOV08 - OSS Super Final 3 Year Colts and Geldings
Somebeachsomewhere 3 1/1T 1/3 1/8H 1/12T 1/11T 1:50.3 29.3 P Mac 0.05* B Macgrath
Keystone Horatio 7 5/6H 5/12 4@/13H 2/12T 2/11T 1:53 29.2 Ra Wap 17.30 J Kopas
Trade Editor 4 3/3Q 3/4T 3/10T 4/15H 3/17 1:54 30.4 J Jamieson 48.90 B Burgess
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
$2.4 mil Ontario Sires Stakes Super Finals at Woodbine Saturday
Entries for 8 OSS Super Finals Races Saturday November 15th, 2008
Data as of 11NOV08,courtesy of woodbineentertainment.com:
3 -- Trot, purse $300,000 (EX, P3, P7, SF, TR)
D-O.S.S. SUPER FINAL - 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES.
**PLEASE REPORT FOR RETENTION AT THE OLD PADDOCK**
Post time: 08:12 P.M. Lasix: 03:57 P.M.
1 Keep In Dutch M Baillargeon R Mcintosh (InConchnito/DutchessOfKent)
2 Cumin First R Zeron F Oreilly (StrikingSahbra/LookWhosCumin)
3 Daylon Mystique W Henry W Henry (AmigoHall/DaylonMarvel)
4 Easter Bonnet G Gagnon R Moreau (BerndtHanover/GypsysBonnie)
5 Elusive Desire P Macdonell M Keeling (AngusHall/ValleyAmber)
6 Ill Wait For You T Ritchie D Creighton (Kadabra/BlueCookie)
7 Pajama Land J Obrien J Obrien (Kadabra/IWayRegency)
8 Sos Respect S Filion K Oreilly (MrLavec/LovinAllTheTime)
9 Stonebridge Diva Ra Waples G Formia (AngusHall/Velvia)
10 Paycheck Lavec Do Brown B Shakes (MrLavec/GoTopDrawer)
AE1 Magical Debut= S Filion J Libby (StrikingSahbra/Belville)
AE2 Striking Fashion Ma Macdonald R Laarman (StrikingSahbra/FashionableLiv)
Race 3 - Retention Barn - All horses
4 -- Trot, purse $300,000 (EX, P4, SF, TR)
D-O.S.S. SUPER FINAL - 2 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS.
**PLEASE REPORT FOR RETENTION AT THE OLD PADDOCK**
Post time: 08:33 P.M. Lasix: 04:18 P.M.
1 Winning Mister Ra Waples K Klages (AngusHall/WinningMissbrenda)
2 Mopey Corey= A Macdonald J Macdonald (SouthwindLustre/ArmbroKaitlyn)
3 Hitithard M Saftic J Ciarpelli (MrLavec/Donaver)
4 Play Right= Ma Macdonald J Dean (Kadabra/Poetry)
5 Senator Hall D Ackerman D Ackerman (AngusHall/LadyLeesun)
6 Pointe Of Honour P Macdonell P Wellwood (StrikingSahbra/GarlandBonita)
7 Hibbler C Christoforou H Poulton (StrikingSahbra/MeghansMemories)
8 My Friend= B Burgess B Burgess (AmigoHall/Machita)
9 Lemon Candy S Condren A Lorentzon (Kadabra/LemonsMill)
10 Striking Lindsey J Jamieson R Mcnair (StrikingSahbra/LindseyFireyimage)
AE1 Mapleson= R Mayotte T Cherwaiko (MalabarMaple/ZorgwijkConchy)
AE2 Kingsbury P Macdonell P Wellwood (Kadabra/RFirstInquirer)
Race 4 - Retention Barn - All horses
5 -- Pace, purse $300,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
D-O.S.S. SUPER FINAL - 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES.
**PLEASE REPORT FOR RETENTION AT THE OLD PADDOCK**
Post time: 08:54 P.M. Lasix: 04:39 P.M.
1 Rose Seelster J Moiseyev J Kopas (Camluck/RavishingLady)
2 Arts Star Ma Macdonald C Coleman (ModernArt/BeachJenny)
3 Fashion Week P Macdonell K Oreilly (WesternTerror/Itsallchemistry)
4 Star Gazed M Saftic J Pentland (Astreos/CatchThisBunny)
5 St Lads Popcorn Ja Brewer J Darling (TwinBChamp/HotButter)
6 Shellace J Jamieson S Mcniven (AcesNSevens/IslandHussy)
7 Icey Breeze R Zeron R Mcnair (WesternTerror/IceChaser)
8 Take My Pulse S Condren J Kopas (RustlerHanover/VitalShines)
9 Northern Duchess M Saftic J Pentland (WesternTerror/LadyMist)
10 Cheap Motel Ra Waples R Boyd (Grinfromeartoear/MediaQueen)
Race 5 - Retention Barn - All horses
6 -- Pace, purse $300,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
D-O.S.S. SUPER FINAL - 3 YEAR OLD FILLIES.
**PLEASE REPORT FOR RETENTION AT THE OLD PADDOCK**
Post time: 09:15 P.M. Lasix: 05:00 P.M.
1 Call Me Yours Ja Brewer S Gillard
2 Ms Goliath S Filion J Libby
3 Im Just Special J Jamieson T Artandi
4 Belka Hanover Ma Macdonald S Robinson
5 Voelz Hanover M Baillargeon B Baillargeon
6 Style Semalu R Zeron P Touchette
7 A Fiesty Affair Ma Macdonald C Coleman
8 Southwind Swallow(L) M Vanderkemp M Vanderkemp
9 Chancey Lady M Saftic J Pentland
10 Shipps Bikini J Moiseyev J Kopas
AE1 Windsong Eva L Ouellette W Cass
Race 6 - Retention Barn - All horses
7 -- Pace, purse $300,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
D-O.S.S. SUPER FINAL - 3 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS.
**PLEASE REPORT FOR RETENTION AT THE NEW PADDOCK**
Post time: 09:38 P.M. Lasix: 05:23 P.M.
1 Lucky Man Ja Brewer C Coleman
2 Dougs Fame M Saftic R Mcnair
3 Somebeachsomewhere P Macdonell B Macgrath
4 Trade Editor J Jamieson B Burgess
5 Amillionpennies J Jamieson B Goit
6 The Life Boat C Christoforou W Preszcator
7 The Mohegan Pan S Condren R Mcintosh
8 Keystone Horatio Ra Waples J Kopas
9 Deuce Seelster(L) J Jamieson D Mccall
Race 7 - Retention Barn - All horses
8 -- Pace, purse $300,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
D-O.S.S. SUPER FINAL - 2 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS.
**PLEASE REPORT FOR RETENTION AT THE OLD PADDOCK**
Post time: 10:02 P.M. Lasix: 05:47 P.M.
1 Trail Boss D Mcnair R Mcnair (ApachesFame/LavishGem)
2 Stonebridge Terror M Saftic J Darling (WesternTerror/NoParadise)
3 Shady Cam Ja Brewer R Duford (Camluck/ShadyWillow)
4 Ok Boromir G Piroski F Baker Jr (NoPanIntended/DoubleCreme)
5 Millionaire Cam J Jamieson T Osullivan (MillionDollarCam/MichellesJackpot)
6 Shipps Xpectancy J Moiseyev J Kopas (MachThree/ArmbroPurse)
7 Nebupanezzar S Condren R Mcintosh (NoPanIntended/WesternWonder)
8 Rescue Plan J Morrill Jr K Oreilly (WesternTerror/LifetimeRomance)
Race 8 - Retention Barn - All horses
9 -- Trot, purse $300,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
D-O.S.S. SUPER FINAL - 3 YEAR OLD FILLIES.
**PLEASE REPORT FOR RETENTION AT THE OLD PADDOCK**
Post time: 10:24 P.M. Lasix: 06:09 P.M.
1 Only Lonely(L) T Ritchie C Beaver
2 Somebody To Love= L Ouellette D Mccall
3 Warrawee June R Zeron F Oreilly
4 Feels Like Magic= W Odonnell K Oreilly
5 Bella Dolce P Macdonell R Norman
6 Kadealia(L) J Moiseyev B Teague
7 *Pasadena Princess= Ra Waples R Mcintosh (cog: 19-DEC-2008)
8 Its My Time L Ouellette F Oreilly
9 Gaelic Mistress S Byron J Bax
10 Whatta Hotty= G Whelan J Whelan
AE1 Condi Lane(L) D Boughton R Young
AE2 Improper Hall Ja Brewer R Fellows
Race 9 - Retention Barn - All horses
10 -- Trot, purse $300,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
D-O.S.S. SUPER FINAL - 3 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS.
**PLEASE REPORT FOR RETENTION AT THE NEW PADDOCK**
Post time: 10:46 P.M. Lasix: 06:31 P.M.
1 Superfast Stuart Ra Waples S Weber
2 Mccarron= T Ritchie M Steacy
3 Hot And Coldplay=(L) L Ouellette C Beaver
4 Define The World P Macdonell J Bax
5 Hit The Mark(L) R Zeron R Fellows
6 Striking Rich To Be Announced M Guitard
7 B Strike Three(L) R Zeron B Shultz
8 J S Chisum= S Byron J Stewart
9 Elegant Hall S Condren R Maxwell
10 Nureyev Ma Macdonald W Companion
AE1 Sergeant York K Oliver L Walker
Race 10 - Retention Barn - All horses
Among trotting sires, Striking Sahbra has 4 in and 2 AE for the 2 year old races, Kadabra has 4 in and one AE while Angus Hall has 4 in. Mr Lavec has 3 in and Amigo Hall has two.
In the 2 year old pacing events, Western Terror has 3 fillies and 2 colts in, Camluck has a filly and a colt and No Pan Intended is represented by 2 colts.
Oh yeah, I just remembered, there's a colt wearing #3 in the 7th that's supposed to be pretty good, named after a song ...
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Major Standardbred Stakes Races 2008 - October November December
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.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
2 Year old Filly trotters race in Gold Final at Woodbine Friday
ONTARIO SIRES STAKES - GOLD FINAL - 2 YEAR OLD FILLIES.
Post time: 08:50 P.M. Lasix: 04:35 P.M.
1 Cumin First R Zeron F Oreilly (StrikingSahbra/LookWhosCumin)
2 Paycheck Lavec Do Brown B Shakes (MrLavec/GoTopDrawer)
3 Arona= C Christoforou C Christoforou (Kadabra/Lenu)
4 Pajama Land J Obrien J Obrien (Kadabra/IWayRegency)
5 Daylon Mystique W Henry W Henry (AmigoHall/DaylonMarvel)
6 Stonebridge Diva Ra Waples G Formia (AngusHall/Velvia)
7 Friendly Amigo= B Burgess B Burgess (AmigoHall/Diminutive)
8 Elusive Desire P Macdonell M Keeling (AngusHall/ValleyAmber)
9 Sos Respect S Filion K Oreilly (MrLavec/LovinAllTheTime)
10 Easter Bonnet G Gagnon R Moreau (BerndtHanover/GypsysBonnie)
AE1 Ill Wait For You T Ritchie D Creighton (Kadabra/BlueCookie)
AE2 B Cor Tanya R Rekila R Rekila (Mutineer/BCorJanice)
AE3 Napanee Seelster W Henry W Henry (AngusHall/NorthernKiss)
Of the ten fillies in the final, Kadabra, Angus Hall, Amigo Hall and Mr. Lavec each have two daughters in the race, while Striking Sahbra and Berndt Hanover daughters have the rail and the ten post.
Full race card for Friday November 8th at Woodbine Raceway
Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final 2 Year Old Trotting Colts Saturday at Woodbine
The $120,000 OSS Super Gold Final for freshman trotting colts and geldings goes as the 5th race this Saturday, November 8, 2008:
5 -- Trot, purse $120,000 (EX, P3, SF, TR)
ONTARIO SIRES STAKES - GOLD FINAL - 2 YEAR OLD COLTS & GELDINGS.
Post time: 08:54 P.M. Lasix: 04:39 P.M.
1 Play Right= Ma Macdonald J Dean (Kadabra/Poetry)
2 Hibbler J Jamieson H Poulton (StrikingSahbra/MeghansMemories)
3 Mopey Corey= A Macdonald J Macdonald (SouthwindLustre/ArmbroKaitlyn)
4 Illusionsndreams T Durand T Durand (Kadabra/IntimateDream)
5 Senator Hall D Ackerman D Ackerman (AngusHall/LadyLeesun)
6 Pointe Of Honour P Macdonell P Wellwood (StrikingSahbra/GarlandBonita)
7 Lemon Candy S Condren A Lorentzon (Kadabra/LemonsMill)
8 Mapleson= R Mayotte T Cherwaiko (MalabarMaple/ZorgwijkConchy)
9 Kingsbury To Be Announced P Wellwood (Kadabra/RFirstInquirer)
10 Striking Lindsey J Jamieson R Mcnair (StrikingSahbra/LindseyFireyimage)
AE1 Northern Illusion= P Macdonell D Creighton (Kadabra/NorthernFuchsia)
AE2 Mr Escadar L Ouellette C Beaver (MrLavec/Escadilla)
AE3 Dr Cal M Baillargeon R Mcintosh (AngusHall/ArmbroSylvie)
Focusing on the ten colts who have earned or drawn in to the final, four are sons of Kadabra while three are Striking Sahbra. The other three starters are by Angus Hall (Senator Hall), Southwind Lustre (Mopey Corey) and Malabar Maple (Mapleson).
In recent decades the dominant trotting line has been Valley Victory - Muscles Yankee, but with the line nearly absent from the Gold Final, with only Mopey Corey (Southwind Lustre is a son of Valley Victory) to defend the champs, Ontario is proving once again to be the home of outstanding outcross sires.
Furthermore, of the other nine, none are by Speedster or Speedy Crown line stallions, but rather all are from the resurgent Volomite line (even pacing sensation Somebeachsomewhere is of the Volomite sireline):
Volomite - Trotting Descendants
Among world-class trotting sires, Kadabra is probably exceeded only by Revenue with regard to obscurity of top line.
Volomite
Worthy Boy
Star's Pride
Nevele Pride
Madison Avenue
Meadow Road
Primrose Lane
Kadabra
For a long time the Super Bowl and Supergill offspring were the second major line after Speedy Crown and his great grandson Valley Victory, but the emergence of the Garland Lobell sons has threatened this second line status. With Striking Sahbra and Malabar Maple, the line is well represented in the race for the cream of Ontario's two year old trotting crop.
Volomite
Worthy Boy
Star's Pride
Super Bowl
Supergill
Malabar Man Striking Sahbra
Malabar Maple
Garland Lobell son Angus Hall and his full brothers Conway Hall and Andover Hall are the ascendant outcross line transitioning to dominant line. In the same way that there are three dominant lines in pacing (Abercrombie - Art Major, No Nukes - Western Hanover, and Cam Fella), it can be confidently stated that the success of Garland Lobell sons and grandsons has established his line as a third dominant force in trotting, already challenging the Super Bowl-Supergill lin sires for second spot (after the arguably still supreme Speedy Crown - Valley Victory males).
Volomite
Victory Song
Noble Victory
ABC Freight
Garland Lobell
Angus Hall
Volomite - Pacing Descendants
Volomite
Sampson Hanover
Sampson Direct
Direct Scooter
Matt's Scooter
Mach Three
Somebeachsomewhere
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Maritime Madness as Somebeachsomewhere edges Shadow Play in rain-soaked Messenger Pace
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
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
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere draws Post 6 for $650,00 Messenger Pace final
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
Saturday, October 18, 2008
No elims for Messenger; Somebeachsomewhere, Shadow Play to meet in final
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.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Enough Talk has a cool pedigree; World-record trotter from outcross branch of main sire line
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!!!
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
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Shadow Play edges Badlands Nitro to win Windy City Pace
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.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Top Trotting Sires of 2008, Emerging Star Stallions
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
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
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Deweycheatumnhowe wins thrilling 3rd heat Final of Kentucky Futurity
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
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.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere draws 3 in Tattersalls Pace; Art Official gets rail in other division
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!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere may face Shadow Play in $700,000 Tattersalls Pace; Maritime Showdown!
Bookmark this blog in your Add to Favorites section and check back here regularly as we'll be posting entries and post positions as soon as they are announced.
Watch video of Somebeachsomewhere posting world record of 146.4 at The Red Mile
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere wins Bluegrass, ties all-age world-record with 1:46.4!
Watch Online Video of Somebeachsomewhere's 146.4 world record in Bluegrass Stakes at Red Mile in Kentucky
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Somebeachsomewhere, Art Official draw separate divisions in Bluegrass Stakes; Dewey aims for world-record
Art Official has drawn the 8 hole in Race 12, and faces a challenge from inside horses such as Atochia, Share The Delight, and Moonbeam. Somebeachsomewhere drew the 3 in the 14th race, and will have to beat Blue Claw, Mystery Chase, and Dali.
In the world of trotting, Deweycheatumnhowe looks ready to take straight aim at Donato Hanover's world-record for 3 year old trotters (1.50.1) and maybe trip the light fantastic by being the first trotting racehorse ever to post a sub-1.50 mile. It's a matter of time before one of these trotting talents comes home in 1.49.3 or thereabouts, and it will be incredibly exciting if Dewey can do it at The Red Mile this Saturday, September 27th.
Good luck to Beach, Dewey, Art Official and everyone else racing this weekend!
Joe T
Full Entries for 27SEP08 Bluegrass Stakes at The Red Mile, Kentucky
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Balanced Image son Arch Madness wins 2008 Maple Leaf Trot in 1.52 at Mohawk
In the Milton Stakes eliminations, both My Little Dragon and Darlins Delight won their divisions.
In the Open Pace, winner Hyperion Hanover and 2nd place Silent Swing were each timed in 1.49.2, with the show horse Secret Swing tripping the wire in 1.49.3.
Full results from Mohawk Raceway 2008 Maple Leaf Trot, Milton Stakes, OSS
2008 TOP PERFORMERS BY EARNINGS
20SEP08 from UStrotting.com
HORSES Name ASG Record Earnings
DEWEYCHEATUMNHOWE 3HT 1:50.4M $1,788,955
SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE 3HP 1:48.3M $1,536,503
ART OFFICIAL 3HP 1:47.0M $1,288,895
BADLANDS NITRO 3HP 1:50.0F $1,287,184
MISTER BIG 5HP 1:48.1F $1,276,932
ARTISTIC FELLA 5HP 1:48.0F $937,580
CRAZED 3HT 1:52.2M $813,150
LANTERN KRONOS 3MT 1:53.0M $807,869
ARCH MADNESS 4GT 1:52.0S $770,846
MY LITTLE DRAGON 5MP 1:49.4S $770,425
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Standardbred Horse Books; Gifts for Harness Racing Fans
Modern Pacing Sire Lines
Modern Trotting Sire Lines
Harness The Winning
Harness Overlays
Nature and Ecology Books
Farewell My Subaru; An Epic Adventure In Local Living by Doug Fine
Green Investing A Guide To Making Money Through Environment-Friendly Stocks by Jack Uldrich
Green Living For Dummies by Yvonne Jeffery, Liz Barclay, Michael Grosvenor
Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to Innovate, Create Value, and Build Competitive Advantage by Daniel C. Esty,, Andrew S. Winston
Living Like Ed; A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life - Ed Begley, Jr.
Natural Capitalism; Creating The Next Industrial Revolution by Amory Lovins and Paul Hawken
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Field Guide to Birds of North America - Re-issued with new, bigger illustrations, by Roger Tory Peterson
A Safe and Sustainable World, The Promise of Ecological Design by Nancy Todd and John Todd
Silent Spring - Best-selling environmental book by Rachel Carson
The World Without Us - Top selling new book by Alan Weisman
Western Hanover Line 1st and 2nd in Jug; PEI's Shadow Play wins on leather shoe in final
The 2008 harness racing stakes calendar just gets better for standardbred horse fans from the Canadian Maritimes. Firstly, Somebeachsomewhere, known as "The Beach" Down East, may have Nova Scotia ownership and connections, but Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick also claim the indefatigable and ultra-fluid Beach as loved kin. Beach has been other-worldly in his sophomore campaign, his only 2nd place finish coming with a race-timed 3 year-old world-record 1.47 mile.
So none of us expected Shadow Play to come along and make things so interesting. Not only does this brilliant colt have PEI owners, but legendary hockey player and executive Serge Savard is also among the ownership group, making Shadow a natural bet for Habs fans. In the first heat of the Little Brown Jug 2008, Shadow Play used Badlands Nitro as a windbreaker for over 3/4 of a mile, then edged past him in the stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths in a sizzling stakes record of 1.50.
Badlands was scratched sick from the final, and each of Art Official (3rd, by Art Major) and Lonestar Legend (2nd, by Western Hanover) came up to challenge Shadow Play, but he turned them away like a champion, pacing home in 26.2 to win by an impressive 6 1/4 lengths in 1.50.1.
Canadian-owned pacing Shadow Play wins 2008 Little Brown Jug
Shadow Play wins 63rd Jug in straight heats; LittleBrownJug.com
Somebeachsomewhere, Shadow Play and Art Official are all scheduled to meet up for the Bluegrass Stakes in Kentucky on September 27, though they may not draw the same division.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Dewey wins Canadan Trotting Classic; Beach to race at Woodbine!!!
According to Dave Perkins of the Toronto Star, Somebeachsomewhere has New York and Toronto on his autumn schedule. After Dewey finished 2nd in his elimination a week ago, Somebeachsomewhere trainer Brent MacGrath, had this to say, check it out:
"I know exactly how he feels,'' Brent MacGrath said. "You just can't win them all.''
MacGrath trains Somebeachsomewhere, the pacing equivalent to Dewey's trotting supremacy, winner now of 15 of 16 lifetime, the only blot a shocking neck defeat to Art Official in the $1 million Meadowlands Pace in July, which MacGrath calls "the bump in the road.''
Beach prevailed, also at 1-9, later on the Mohawk card in the Simcoe Stakes, but surely wasn't at his best; a post-race scope revealed some ordinary sickness.
MacGrath treated him with antibiotics and said yesterday if he is recovered sufficiently for a training session Monday, plans remain in place to make Beach the fastest horse in harness history in Lexington, Ky.
This has long been the plan, to bypass pacing's crown jewel, next Thursday's Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio, in favour of achieving a mile in 1:46 at the Red Mile.
"No second thoughts. We're taking an awful pile of heat about it, but we're sticking to our plans, because we think it's working'' MacGrath said.
Managing another man's horse is a parlour game at the racetrack; everybody always knows better. But MacGrath, also an owner as member of the Schooner Stable of Bible Hill, N.S., figures they'll be close to $3 million in earnings, with that speed record, by the time Beach is done and he likes the sound of all that. Who wouldn't?
It means potentially two cracks at the race record, in the Bluegrass Stakes Sept. 27 and/or the Tattersalls Oct. 4. If weather doesn't co-operate, a time trial might be considered. After that it's the Messenger in New York, an Ontario Sires Stakes at Woodbine, then the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands. Still a full plate, even without the Jug.
One of these two (Somebeachsomewhere or Deweycheatumnhowe) will be standardbred of the year and it remains a horse race.
Full Toronto Star article on Deweycheatumnhowe and Somebeachsomewhere
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