Somebeachsomewhere Rules Mohawk and Meadowlands
Unbeaten Pacer Goes for $1.1 Meadows Pace Title July 19
Jul 15, 2008
Crazy Good Dan Patch wouldn't believe it now if he stopped long enough to take a gander at Somebeachsomewhere, the unbeaten 3-year-old Canadian pacer who is ripping apart tracks from his home country to his United States debut at the Meadowlands, New Jersey last Saturday.
Somebeachsomewhere, perhaps more aptly named Somepacereverywhere, blitzed the competition at Meadowlands in 1:48.3 for the standard mile.
Dan Patch creamed the two-minute mile early on, then competed constantly against his own time to improve it over and over again in a phenomenal career that blew rivals away from the tracks.
Somebeachsomewhere Even Better Than Patch
Last spring, Schooner's Stables owner Brent MacGrath was after Jerry Silva to sell Somebeachsomewhere to him. The drama went on for weeks. In the end, MacGrath got his prize.
The best official time Patch was ever given was 1:55-1/4 in his racing career. In his exhibition life, while touring the countryside to run against Time, his popularity grew to outrageous proportions in an era when harness racing was top sports dog.
Somebeachsomewhere will land who knows where in the history of harness racing. His 4-year-old campaign seems already doomed to truncation, as there are persistent rumors that he will be retired, probably as an unbeaten, like Patch. But Patch ran around the oval until the age of 11, while his owner, Will Savage, turned down offers (1989-1909) as high as $180,000 for his star pacer.
Patch lost only two heats in his racing career, and never was beaten for a race title.
Will Somebeachsomewhere walk away next season, or stay to thrill thousands of Standardbred fans?
Somebeachsomewhere's Win at Mohawk
Mohawk Raceway in Campbellville, Ontario hosted the 25th renewal of the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup for the second straight season. The event was moved from Woodbine in Ontario, where it had resided for 13 consecutive years, last season.
Somebeachsomewhere, a son of Mach Three, toyed with the field of ten at Mohawk. Mucho Sleazy was driven by Mark MacDonald to the early lead, while Somebeachsomewhere leisurely followed outside 1-1/2 lengths back.
When Paul MacDonell gave Somebeachsomewhere his cue, the blazing pacer took command and scooted back inside to save track. On cruise control, Somebeachsomewhere shook off Mucho Sleazy and challenger Badlands Nitro, and walked home in 1:49.
Somebeachsomewhere traveled the three quarters mile in 1:22. His win came by 2-3/4 lengths. Santana Blue Chip came on for third.
Mohawk Cup Consolation to Upfront Hannahsboy
Upfront Hannahsboy set a new stakes record in the $100,000 North America Cup Consolation by finishing the mile in 1:49-2/5. He came to the front at the 3/16 pole after trailing by 5 lengths and drew off under the wire by 5-3/4 lengths over Space Walk. Trade Editor finished third.
