Brent MacGrath has been around three-year-old pacer Somebeachsomewhere long enough to have a good deal of faith in the colt. The trainer sent 'The Beach' to Lexington's Red Mile with the hopes of challenging the world record, and the horse rewarded MacGrath in his first attempt out of the box.
Coming off an illness and three-week layoff, Somebeachsomewhere, on September 27, equaled Holborn Hanover's record for the fastest-ever time in a race mile – 1:46.4 – in winning his Bluegrass Stakes division by seven and a half lengths over Mystery Chase. The Beach was driven by pilot Paul MacDonell.
"It's always nice to hope, but it's a lot nicer when they do it," MacGrath said. "That's an impressive mile. He had to do it on his own, and that always makes it a little harder, too. Of course, you're not going to have a lot of company in (1):46."
Holborn Hanover was a five-year-old when he set the record. Somebeachsomewhere's time is the fastest ever for a three-year-old, breaking the mark of 1:47 set by Art Official in the Meadowlands Pace in July. Art Official beat Somebeachsomewhere by a neck in the Meadowlands Pace, handing Somebeachsomewhere the only loss of his career.
Cambest paced harness racing's fastest mile of 1:46.1 in a time trial in Springfield, Illinois in 1993.
Since his Meadowlands Pace setback, Somebeachsomewhere has won six consecutive starts. Lifetime, he has 16 victories in 17 races and earnings of $2.3 million. His next start will be in a division of Saturday's $293,000 Tattersalls Pace at the Red Mile.
"He came out of his (last) race real good," said MacGrath, who co-owns the horse as part of the Schooner Stables of Nova Scotia. "For him to go that mile as easy as he did off of three weeks, it was nice. I was (surprised). It wasn't a perfect day; it was a good day. I think he'll be a little sharper this Saturday off the start and with the infection another week behind him.
"He's great and feeling good," MacGrath added. "He's feeling good, out in the paddock, jumping and bucking. I'll train him a little bit on Thursday. We're very happy with where we're at."
Once again, Art Official, the only horse to beat Somebeachsomewhere, ends up so near yet so far away, as he's drawn in to a different division of the Tattersalls. Art Official gets the rail in his division and Somebeachsomewhere gets post three in his. The colts will race one dash for the cash, there are no heats.
"This works better, that's for sure," Seekman, referring to the draw, said with a laugh. "But we're going to have to race him again down the road. It's not like we're trying to dodge him. We're entering every time. Now the match up will have to be in the Breeders Crown."
Seekman said the decision to put up the $60,000 supplement fee for Art Official was based on finances. "It's a heck of a nice purse down here," he said. "The horse has made it, but you still have to make it financially sound for the owner. You don't want to throw money away."
Seekman also commented on Art Official's race in the Bluegrass, where he went wire to wire and stopped the clock in 1:48.3. "I was happier than heck with the way he raced; to have the eight hole and have to work his way to the front and still come the back half in :53. He's just as sharp this week as he was last week," he said.
"If he comes out of the race good we're planning on going to [the Windy City]. We're skipping the Messenger, so then he'll have three weeks off after. Then it's the American-National and the Breeders Crown."
To view the draw results for the two Tattersalls divisions, click here.
(Harness Racing Communications)