Alexandra Goldin's pacer Marco Beach not only wired the field in Sunday's featured $10,959 Winners Over Pace at Shenandoah Downs, but he shattered the previous track record by two-fifths of a second when he crossed the finish line three lengths the best in 1:51.4.
The track's previous record of 1:52.1 was authored by Johns Dream in 2016 -- Shenandoah's initial season -- and was equalled earlier this meet by Aflame Hanover.
Goldin's eight-year-old Somebeachsomewhere gelding was driven by Eric Davis and was one of four wins he had on the 10-race program. Marco Beach left from outside post five and maintained a 1-1/2-length cushion on the front end through the first three-quarter panels, which were cut in :27.3, :56 and 1:23.4. Davis opened up by two at the top of the stretch and held off a rally by Cole Olsen's Lyons Stealth, who finished second. Olsen's Volley Ball Beach was third.
The victory was Marco Beach's 26th lifetime score and it pushed his career bankroll to $294,958. The pacer had previously won in 1:51 2 at Rosecroft Raceway in January and in 1:50.2, a lifetime best, at The Meadowlands last year.
Davis, who surged into third place in the driver standings behind Fern Paquet Jr. and Corey Braden with a solid afternoon, also connected Sunday with Scott Woogen's KJ Devil, P T Stables's Make Some Waves and Spencer Goldin's Lucky Streak, who won his third straight in Woodstock, Virginia and fourth of the meet.
Only two weekends remain in the Shenandoah Downs spring season. Action will continue on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 with cards both days at 1:05 p.m. The Woodstock oval will host Foiled Again's 20th Birthday Party on Saturday. Join the celebration as harness racing's richest horse in history turns 20 years old. Retired for six years now, the legendary son of Dragon Again bankrolled $7.6 million from a stellar career in which he won 109 races from 331 starts. Win number 104 of his career came at Shenandoah Downs on Sept. 29, 2018. Foiled Again will be on site and fans can get their picture taken with the legend, sing "Happy Birthday" and get a slice of birthday cake. Fans can also enjoy live music all afternoon with The Skillbillys.
(Shenandoah Downs)