'Beach' Scratched From Matron
Somebeachsomewhere has been scratched from his Matron Stakes elimination on Monday, Dec. 8 at Dover Downs.
Trainer and part owner Brent MacGrath reports the stellar three-year-old pacer has a high temperature and that he reluctantly had to scratch Somebeachsomewhere.
On the strong 15-race program, in addition to two $41,519 Matron Three-Year-Old elimination divisions there are two $100,000 DSBF pacing finals, one for colts and one for fillies, on a standout Monday card. On the regular program, a $27,000 Open pace. A pair of $22,000 Winners-Over paces top a strong supporting card.
In the first Matron elim, Santanna Blue Chip drew the rail with Jody Jamieson driving. The colt has won $666,502 this season with 10-times in the money in 14 races for owners J.R. Giles, George Arthur Stable and trainer Carl Jamieson. Uncirculated Stable's Dali, a Progress Pace elim winner will have the services of Hall of Fame driver Ron Pierce. Two of the starters in the first elim have won five races already this season. Brittany Farm and Reality Stable's Trade Editor with Andy Miller in the bike and Lisfinny from Al McIntosh Holdings, CSX and Robert McIntosh stables. David Miller will be his driver. The other contenders are First Rate, owned by N.H. Hesslein, John Hurtgen and Ginger Tree Stables piloted by Tim Curtin and Vicki Givens and Louie Paglierani's Dina's Gamble with Brandon Givens.
The other $41,519 section, now minus Somebeachsomewhere is led by Progress Pace champion Proper Respect, driven by Ron Pierce for owner Lou Tomczak. Francis Azur's stakes-winning Blueridge Western and Dave Palone is a winner of $523.716 this year while Ed Needle and trainer-driver Donnie Russell's recent addition Mystery Chase has banked $382,246 during his sophomore career. Emposimato Stable's Jo Pa's Wild Card will be reined by the track's leading driver Corey Callahan from the rail Alongside is Roy E Williams and Jr.'s Dragon King and driver David Miller.
The first four finishers from the two $41,519 elimination divisions return on Monday, Dec. 15 for a $249,000 final.
The companion quad-feature on the star-studded racing agenda features the top eight Delaware-sired freshman class male and female pacers vying in $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund (DSBF) finals.
Post time is set for 4:30 p.m.
(With files from Dover Downs)
sbsw rocked the harness
sbsw rocked the harness racing world for the past 2 seasons,only a person that doesn't understand the meaning of the term world record[x4] could argue there has ever been a better horse!!!!!!!good luck with the ladies Beach!!!!!!!!!
He has absolutely NOTHING to
He has absolutely NOTHING to prove. Best wishes to SBSW and his connections. A true champion!
Get well soon, Beach....and
Get well soon, Beach....and enjoy your retirement!
Beach, you're an amazing
Beach, you're an amazing horse! I'll miss watching you race. Thanks for the memories!
Dear Lorrain, I think
Dear Lorrain,
I think you misunderstood my message.SBSW is unquestionably one of the greatest (if not the greatest) ever. My point was the ownership should have had enough sense to know when enough is enough.
In reply to Dear Lorrain, I think by PC (not verified)
Dear PC I do not know which
Dear PC
I do not know which post was yours as I cannot find your initials on any of the previous ones, nor was I aiming my comments at any one person or post specifically, and I would like to very respectfully suggest that perhaps you misunderstood my post... the first sentence of my post was that people need to stop second-guessing the decisions made by the connections of this horse, as they have always put his best interests first, which is in direct contrast to your opinion that they should have known when "enough was enough".
Yes they decided to race the horse one more start (and one can hardly argue that the Beach had given any indication he was not up to the task when the decision was made, he had JUST defeated some of the finest pacers racing today and was well within himself doing so), and then had the courage to scratch him when he fell ill, fully knowing there were many who would scoff at them due to the belief he should have been retired as planned after winning the Breeders Crown...what I am suggesting is that we should show some respect for their decisions, a horse like SBSW does not become a horse like SBSW, if he is mismanaged in any way shape or form! Ask anyone who has ever purchased or bred a young horse before and made the decisions from its earliest training right through to the end of its career, if it is an easy task to create even one tenth of the success the Beach has had...the proof is in the pudding!
I apologize if I stepped on any toes, it was not my intention, and certainly everyone is entitled to their opinion, but the people surrounding this horse have done an admirable job, and that we need to give respect and credit where it is due, and quit looking for ways to pick the sitution apart and enjoy the new life this horse has breathed into the racing industry! Off my soapbox now...
Again, respectfully,
Lorrain McBride
I hope THE BEACH is well
I hope THE BEACH is well soon,I did not agree with him being entered in this race after announcing his retirement,all the best in retirement,he does not have to prove anything,he's the best.
I think everyone should stop
I think everyone should stop second guessing the choices made for this amazing horse. Time and again his connections have put HIS BEST INTERESTS first, I really don't think there is any room to argue that point.
If the Jug was not in his best interests and did not fit into his schedule for the season, I applaud his connections for not giving into the pressure. As far as the Matron, racing a sick horse is not something any half-a$$ed horseperson would do , so implying The Beach is opting out because he is afraid of the competition is not only ridiculous, but disrespectful to a horse who has done nothing but give us all HUGE reason to show him the utmost respect.
People, quit trying to discredit the best thing that has happened to our sport in a very, very long time, and be grateful that we have all had the opportunity to see such an incredible animal race in our lifetime, there may not be another like him, so enjoy what he has done, and enough with the sour grapes already!
Beach, enjoy your retirement, you have certainly earned it!
Respectfully,
Lorrain McBride
Dropping him in in the first
Dropping him in in the first place was questionable.I suppose he doesn't have enough money earned ? Sometimes, it's actually decent to leave a little for someone else.
The only black mark in his
The only black mark in his record is missing the Jug. It will never be forgotten by those who cherish the sport and its traditions. Get well soon "Beach".
If he's sick or lame there
If he's sick or lame there is no reason for him to race. Why cheapen him for a few dollars. What more does he have to do,
I don't think Dali,
I don't think Dali, Santanna... and Blueridge Western would really have anything to do with this decision, they are good horses but they shouldnt be in the same sentence as "THE BEACH". I still think he would win if he raced at 60%, but its a great choice to shut it down. Good Luck in the breeding shed.
Well that's a very tough one
Well that's a very tough one for a trainer of a great CHAMPION to make.But, after following this duo; ( BRENT & BEACH ) I know it was the right one for the SCHOONER STABLE and harness racing as a whole. If at this stage we lost a pedigree of this stature, the entire sport would lose. I applaud you BRENT; GOOD LUCK !!!
maybe with Dali, Santanna,
maybe with Dali, Santanna, and Blueridge Western in there, they realized this Matron may not be another walk on the beach if he wasn't 100%, they are doing the right thing going out as breeders crown champs!
He is the BEST horse to ever
He is the BEST horse to ever put on a set of SHOES
THE MARITIME MONSTER
In reply to He is the BEST horse to ever by Redmond doucet (not verified)
Let's not forget a little
Let's not forget a little known horse caledd NIATROSS who raced week in week out and never missed a start even after falling down in a race!!! I will give him second best.
Hope The Beach gets well
Hope The Beach gets well SOON! If you had won The Jug you would have the earnings you needed in these races !!!!
In reply to Hope The Beach gets well by Al Casselman (not verified)
I'd say it's just about time
I'd say it's just about time the Jug issue was dropped, wouldn't you?
Well I hope he gets better
Well I hope he gets better soon hes a great horse. I like watching him race because he makes it look so easy.