'Beach' Takes Bye To Final

Who's kidding who - whether your a trainer, owner, driver, member of the media or a fan, if you've watched any harness racing over the last 15 years it is astoundingly clear this horse is a freak and by FAR the greatest standardbred of a generation. Era's are impossible to compare but looking at the comments and reactions of seasoned horsemen it is hard to argue that SBSW isn't on the short list of greatest of all time.
A bias exists against this horse and I'm not sure if its jealousy or where it comes from but the fact that the '08 Standardbred Poll had him second most of the year and now on top by a nose is a testament to this bias. Dewey is a great trotter but should be considered lucky to be mentioned in the same article as SBSW. Win or lose on Saturday, this is the horse of a lifetime and we should all count ourselves lucky to have seen him race because we may never see this type of animal again for a very long time.

The more rested the horse will be the better he will race. Ryan you should be appauled. There is a reason that Brent MacGrath has a world champion and you probably don't. Apparently the reason that he did not go to the Little Brown Jug is because they were aiming at a world Record and he did do you Remember 1:46.4. Brent must have been smart on his scheduling do you also remember the 1:50 mile in the OSS super final and that track must have been 3 or 4 seconds off. That means that if the conditions were right he might have put the WORLD RECORD in jeopardy. This horse is a WORLD CHAMPION partly because of the scheduling and the rest because "He is the stuff legends are made of." And people if you booked your trip for the eliminations SWITCH IT!!!!!!!!!

Well Done Beach! no matter the outcome you have given us some of the best racing ever.
The memories will last a life time. For that I Thank You.
As for the nay sayers you may want to pause for just a moment and think about this living breathing, feeling animal as i believe Brent and the connections have. Maybe, just maybe they are thinking of the Horse above all else while still trying to satisfy our greed to see him or see him beat!
To all the connections Thank You! and all the best in the future.

Hmmm???? Let's think about this...SBSW holds four world records has tied the fastest racing mile ever, has one second place finish ever [where the replays show he was interfered with before the opening quarter and had the worst drive imaginable {sorry Paul but three wide at the half was just greedy} to lose by a neck at the line in record breaking time]. Well I'm just a little confused here now because if SBSW isn't the best horse ever to step on the track why does he hold these records [don't you think the best horse would have these records????] Personally I hope Shadow Play[another Canadian] draws the rail and the Beach draws the 10 hole just so I can come on here and read all of the dumb excuses that all the Beach critics [American and jealous??? LOL] start throwing around after he makes his final victory!!!!!!!!

It has been a thrill to watch Somebeachsomewhere race. I commend Brent McGrath and his crew for the management they have used with him and wish them good luck in the Breeder's Crown and in the breeding shed. The Beach really has helped the image of harness racing, it is amazing to see people turn out just to watch this amazing horse. I would certainly vote him "Horse of the Century".

I remember watching Niatross race and reading all I could find about him. When he raced at old Greeenwood on a cold, sunny day during the winter the number of people there was amazing. Tracks would make up special races just to have him there. I went to Flamboro just to see him up close and still have the b&w pictures of him. He didn't even race there just jogged a mile. Amazing number of people came.
Fast forward to The Pacing Machine and the incredible string of victories. People came to see him every time he raced. Cam Fella was The Attraction and he didn't disappoint.
Most fans are just sad that The Beach will soon be gone with no more anticipation of seeing this fabulous horse pace away with such style.
Looking ahead to the next champion that will stir our interest.

Fan

horse racing is funny. Anything can happen in a race. What advantage does Shadow Play have if he gets cooked in the elimination (ie parked, or someone challenges early and he gets into a slug fest). How does the unpredictability of a race play into the advantage of a race the next week? Shadow play had his chance at Yonkers at couldn't do it. The race played into Millers hands and he still couldn't get the job done. So the thought is that 9 other horses won't try and win the Breeders but rather would try to put the screws to SBSW and their connections and yes the two can be mutually exclusive. For example, Bullville Powerful in the M-pace final. Going back when Gingras delcared he would get SBSW beat in the final, and well he did by pulling and getting in the road of SBSW. While he was good for his word he finished 9th. I wonder if Bullville Powerfuls connections would have preferred 3rd or 4th money instead of 9th place money. Who will be that sacraficial lamb on Breeders night. Bet the horse you like and watch the race and let the trainers keep them sharp and ready and let the owners decide how to manage their commodity because they pay the bills. Why not critic Coca/Cola company for getting tid of coke classic instead.

All critiqueing of the management of SBSW aside, I honestly believe no matter what comments are listed here, if all are honest, there isn't one among us who wouldn't give his/her eye teeth to have even a small part of a horse like SBSW. He is every horse owner's dream, especially "ONTARIO SIRED", and no matter what the individual beliefs or comments, he has surely put Harness Racing on the front page so to speak with positive media attention for a change instead of all the negative media attention we seem to have of late. I do not classify him as "GREAT" OR "ONE OF THE BEST", etc, but rather I liken him to the career of Cam Fella, when Norm Clements originated the Fan Following with the Cam Fella Express. That was GREAT for the industry. I witnessed SBSW in Lexington, and the crowd that thronged to the winner's circle at Lexington's Red Mile was reminiscent of the Cam Fella Express days. That included "an elder statesman" from Sydney, N.S. a wonderful gentleman named "A.G. "Moose" Mercer and his son David, whom I had met several years ago in Harrisburg, and who had not been to Lexington in 15 years, but made the trip this year to SBSW race. Now that to me says it all. That a bunch of "Fans" from "down home" made a special trip to Lexington, to see "their" horse race. Let's not knock this horse, or his management, let's just enjoy the moment. As far as the Messenger stake, what a great race, think about who was racing head to head down the stretch...., SBSW (maritime owned), SHADOW PLAY, (Maritime Owned), and SANTANA BLUE CHIP, (although now Ontario - former Maritimer). Enough said on that subject!!!!

As far as the bye into the Breeder's Crown, I believe ALL ENTRANTS should have to earn their way into the Breeders Crown, by racing in the eliminations. If there is more than one elimination, then, draw for post position. BUT, consider this; If there is only one elimination, then let the entrants race for Post Position in the Final. Order of Finish in the elimination determines your starting position in the Final. Could defintely make for some very competitive racing in advance of the final.

My thoughts on SBSW. I do honestly believe he is one of the best three year olds we have seen in many years. I also believe that this is due in part to the management of his career. The reason I say in part is, we cannot take away from what the horse himself has contributed. His trainer has admitted on several occasions, the reason SBSW's career requires managing in such a way is due to soundness issues. That being the case, the "greatest" thing about this horse, seems to be the size of his heart. Let's hope the "size of his heart" is what he passes on to his offspring.
Congratulations to all the connections of this horse, you have made (or should have made) all of us associated with the Ontario Breeding Industry very proud, and shown that an Ontario Bred can indeed compete with the best once again. I wish you the same success in the breeding shed, albeit sad that he will no longer be part of the Ontario Breeding Scene, but on the positive side, we do still have his "daddy"!

Santanna Blue Chip got straight thru to the breeders crown 2yo colt final last year and i didn`t hear any complaints,i`m not saying the rule is a good thing,but it IS currently a rule.
Jealousy is the biggest cause of complaint here,Jealousy that a group of "ordinary" people bought only 1 horse for modest money,campaigned him themselves and made it to the top of the game.

My opinion on this...first and foremost NO horse should be given the chance to go right to the final for any race, everyone pays there payments all year, EVERYONE should have to earn their spot in the final.

Secondly, why is Brent so scared to race the beach? I understand he's been managing this horse all year, and hey who am I to say he's done anything wrong, there are 2 races (at the most) left for the horse, who he says is fresher than he's ever been, yet they choose to miss a week to freshen him up? I dont understand the concept of retiring a really fresh horse? It's like they are terrified to race him cause they are terrified of getting beat.

At least last year Donato put his streak on the line and he was beat his last 2 starts, but did anyone take that away from him? NO.....cause every horse gets beat, just like SBSW got beat, but had he been going into the elim never being beat I understand why they would be trying to keep that record in tact.

I think Shadow Play will have the advantage now...especially if he wins the elim. And if the luck runs out for the Beach clan and he draws the 10 hole or the rail, which I actually think could be a worse place for him, Shadow Play could easily pull off the win. As for why I think the rail is the worst spot for the beach, because everyone will be leaving all they can leave just to keep him locked on the rail.

the beach barely got up to beat shadow play in the messenger, watch the replay, mcdonnell was driving him hard in panic mode.. the beach is currently the fastest 3 year old ever, until a year or two, his records will eventually be broken..
i wouldn't say he is the toughest horse i ever saw, boulder creek and admirals express that is what tough is, we will never know how tough the beach might have been..
but i think shadow play will give the beach a run for his money in the final

Brent McGrath should be applauded for the way he has handled Somebeachsomewhere and conducted himself throughout this memorable season.

Fans were informed of the horse`s health and schedule on many occasions,we were able to follow his progress right from his training mile at Truro in April,his qualifiers atMmohawk and even on a blog put on this website.

Perhaps that is where the problem lies,with so many people getting to know Somebeachsomewhere, they are starting to think they own him!

The Beach should not be a consideration for Horse of the Year he should be considered Horse Of the Century !!! BHorse of the Year is just a formality.

For those people knocking this horse for not racing in a 25000 elimination they should go watch the only othjer horse to be in his leagues race (Niatross - when he fell down) An accident can happen at any time or he could step in a hole etc. Way to Risky. Plus for those idiots that dont understand they would have given any 2 horses the bye to the final as they would have just kept going through the list so the Beach can draw in the outside 10 hole in the final just as easy as he could have in the elimination (in fact a little easier as an inside post will be taken byt the elim winner). Once he took the bye I think it was a smart move by Ian Moore to race Shadow Play as he should now win the elim and be able to choose inside. Smart Move. If the beach opted to race I think they rest Shadow Play which would have been a smart move. Anyway just smart on both trainers part.

For the dummies citing he is dodging competition and has faced weak competition just look at th awesome horses he has made look average -- Shadow Play DOUBLE -world record holder, Art Official - former world record holder, Badlands Hanover - multimillion dollar preformer. All lost multiple times and by large lenths to the Beach. 1 loss in unheard of fractions, 3 wide, in the horses 5th start of the year !! and he loses by a neck. Shame on him. He has faced a better class and maybe the best class ever of 3 year old colts, compared to Dewey who hasnt set a single world record or raced against a world record preformer it should be an easy decision. Forget the facgt that Dewey lost twice and barely won a couple other starts. Plus the time Dewey finished third was a clear loss -- You get nipped by 1 horse at the wire they may have gotten lucky or a trip, you get passed by 2 horses and you got beat !!!

Best of luck in the final to the Horse of the Century

Great job Brent and gang on racing and keeping a wonderful horse racing for a two yr.career.he is the apex of a fifty year time frame of watching standardbred racing.Records on all size tracks,facing all competitors,sometime not 100% make it a hard statement to argue that there was ever a better pacer than the BEACH.Thanks for the for the (hair standing on the back of my neck)run.

I am very disappointed that they have given these horses a bye to the final. I agree he is one of the best 3 year olds to ever race but I and a friend from PEI booked a trip to The Meadowlands over a month ago thinking that Somebeachsomewhere would be racing in the Breeders Crown Eliminations. If we had known he was not going to race in the eliminations we would have not booked the trip. This is completely unfair to the fans and betting public of harness racing. I am very disappointed in this decision. We have supported the industry for years, in fact we have been going to the race track for over 30 years and have travelled to various race tracks across Canada to watch and bet on races. If this is how the industry wants to treat the fans of the sport and the betting public it has no one else to blame but itesf for the decline in wagering. I know I will be finding a better way to spend my money in the future.

Regards,

Richard MacLean
Ottawa, ON
Canada
Disappointed harness racing fan,

I don't know what else the horse has to do, he has earned his title as the best pacer in the world, period. If anyone thinks otherwise I suggest you get your head read.

I think if Shadow Play wins his elim he comes in as a major threat to The Beach and could set up a great final.

Richard Renwick can you tell me where the horses that he didn't beat are hiding? He's embarrassed the best three-year-old colts all season long but you say he's ducking some horses? Who are they and what continent are they on?? Cause as far as I can see they are not on the same planet that Somebeachsomewhere is racing on. Who in the name of god is going to beat Somebeachsomewhere in that field of horses for the Breeders Crown. Time for the knockers to finally just give in and admit that the horse has been managed perfectly and is one of if not the most amazing horse to ever race.

I think all horses should show what they are made of. They should race until they are at least 5 years old, that way you would see a true champion's endurance.

I think it was smart of the connections. Why burn a horse out for 25,000 dollars when you know they will race him hard. Another week's rest would be great for the horse. I would have done the same.

The horse that MacGrath has, if somebeachsomewhere is on his game nobody comes within 5 lengths, so a qualifier is not going to hurt him. Can you say Horse of the Year.

Well I guess Brent MacGrath thinking is the less you race the better chance in not getting beat again

You would think the person in charge of SOMEBEACHSOMEWHERE would have raced him in the Elim to give the public another chance to see THE BEACH. WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THEIR PUBLIC RELATIONS? - Whoever it is isn't thinking.

Blaine Gregan,
Moncton, NB.
CANADA