Off his impressive 1:50.3 win in the Ontario Sires Stakes Super Finals at Woodbine, Somebeachsomewhere has overtaken Deweycheatumnhowe atop Week 28 of the 2008 Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll.
Week 28 is the first time 'The Beach' has topped the weekly poll since 'Dewey' captured the Hambletonian on August 2. The Beach vaulted atop the rankings after having occupied the second spot on the list for some time. During that time, Somebeachsomewhere earned victories in all of his eight starts, which include the Super Final, Confederation Cup, Simcoe, Bluegrass, Tattersalls and Messenger Stakes.
Although The Beach is atop Week 28, the margin was narrow. Somebeachsomewhere garnered 331 points to Deweycheatumnhowe's 327. Mister Big was third in the poll with 270 points. Shadow Play (204) and Art Official (191) rounded out the top 5.
The Beach's rise back to the top off the heap came off another dazzling performance. Somebeachsomewhere cut all the fractions (:27, :54.2, 1:21) in his Super Final division. He stopped the clock in 1:50.3 over a 'sloppy' track rated three second slow by the presiding Ontario Racing Commission judges.
Deweycheatumnhowe, the Hambletonian, Canadian Trotting Classic and Kentucky Futurity champion, last raced October 31 at Vernon Downs. Dewey faced off against a five-horse field in a $20,000 event. He won by six and a quarter lengths in 1:55.2.
Finally after months the
Finally after months the poll has him back on top. Why did it take so long. The Beach has only 1 loss and it was a world record performance, and he made a move 3 wide in unheard of fractions. The loss wasnt his fault as it was Macdonells for making such a silly move as he only needed to wait a little longer. Point being he lost, so be it. Prior to then the Beach was not only on top of the poll he was a long ways in front, and given the fact that Dewey never lost it is understandable he took over. Since then though Dewey has not only lost once he did TWICE and the second time he was beat by 2 horses !! In his elimination race he won by a nose as it looked on the replays that he actually lost it too. As well Dewey has not set a single world record and not really been that close to setting one. The Beach has set world records since his loss on a half and mile track. Not only has he set these world records he has beaten the 5é8 mile world record holder on numerous occasions (Shadow Play). People have been talking about the competing that he has faced being weak well where are they getting this from, Art Official - former world record holder, Shadow Play - current world record holder, badlands Nitro - million and a half earnings. These horse lost and lost bad to the Beach, less that one trip and he was still only beaten by a head !!!! Any other horse would have finished way up the track. Well Dewey hasnt faced a world record holder and hasnt set any but people are saying hes faced stiffer competition, well where is it??
Point being Beach wasa well on top before his loss and now they have both lost at least once so he should be back on top, especially given all the trips he has went. many people consider him to be the BEST HORSE EVER, any gait, so it seems weird to think it is a close race to see if he is top horse of the year. Yes Dewey is a great trotter and probably top 10 all time but I wonder how he would even fair against last years Donato?? People are going back 30 years to try and compare the Beach to Nitross.
Hopefully the pollsters keep it right from now on in. I wonder if Dewey makes more earnings with the final of the trot if they may change their mind again
One more win is fine with
One more win is fine with me. Voters finally have it right. Finish on top and start another chapter.
Everyone would like to see
Everyone would like to see The Beach for one, two , three more years. But I think he's done his job and done it well, he's earned his retirement and some time with the ladies. If it ever happened that he did come back for one more year, they wouldn't have to look far for a trainer, Jean Louis Arsenault trained him as a two year old and he broke world records for him, and would have done just as well as a three year old without MacGrath. He probably would have had a Little Brown Jug on his resume as well.
Iam in complete agreemet
Iam in complete agreemet that Sombeachsomewhere should come back for at least one more year. The owners are missing out in a once in a lifetime oppertunity. No one will ever know how special this horse could be. The Owners and the Fans are going to be left with the question " WHAT IF " . The "almighty buck" wins again!!!!
I would love to see the
I would love to see the beach for one more year. I think that everybody in the racing game would except for Hanover Shoe Farms. But Brent you did what you thought would be right and you must have been right. Somebeachsomewhere, The Schooner Stables, and Paul MacDonnel are all the Poster People for the great sport of Harness Racing. Do what you think is right.
I agree. What is one year
I agree. What is one year less on your I'm sure very profitable breeding career you already have planned out for the freak of nature. I'd love to see this guy demolish everything and everyone next year. Along with the rest of North American and Global racing fans alike.
Please bring "The Beach"
Please bring "The Beach" back for at least one more year. We have yet to see his true potential. If Brent McGrath wants to go back to his day job I am sure you can find a good Trainer willing to take him (every Trainer on the Planet). Lets keep the good horses racing longer to keep the fans we got and draw some new ones to the sport.