Although previous plans had pacing phenom Somebeachsomewhere retiring after tonight's Breeders Crown, a last minute change of plans has the photogenic colt heading to Dover Downs to compete in the Matron.
The owners met in the winner's circle after the win, with trainer/co-owner Brent MacGrath making a phone call after that discussion.
"We phoned (Hanover Shoe Farms' President) Jim Simpson and talked to him about it and, in fact, they're encouraging it," trainer Brent MacGrath told Trot Insider. "We'll take him back to Mark Ford's farm tonight and make sure everything is as good with the horse as it's been for his 21 previous starts.
"Nobody wants to take a horse of this calibre off the racetrack, and we know we have to, but it's hard to turn down a race of that stature," continued MacGrath. "Tonight he was as good as he's ever been."
Eliminations for the Matron are slated for Monday, December 8, with the final one week later on Monday, December 15. The race will mark Somebeachsomewhere's first start on a five-eighths mile oval.
I grew up on a small
I grew up on a small standardbred farm, my Dad was in the horse business, breeding, raising, training & racing. I just wish he would have been able to see Beach, the best horse ever.
Gary Cleveland
Kentville, NS
I've watched the trotter
I've watched the trotter Dewey and the horse is magnificient to look at.. and is special in the sense that trotters can be difficult at times to say the least.. but to do what he has done as far as trotters are concerned over the past couple of years is almost unbelievable . I'm a big fan of The Beach as well and he is nothing short of a wonder horse ..but in all fairness Dewey did in the world of trotters what The Beach did with pacers.. In fairness to these two very special horses why couldnt the share the honour of being Horse of the Year.
Two different worlds, you
Two different worlds, you dont compare a great trotter to a great pacer,wake up,they should not be talked about or compared at all,
NIATROSS, THEY SAID WAS A FREAK,A GREAT FREAK.CAMFELLA WAS ALSO A GREAT HORSE.
Its not fair to compare Niatross and Camfella with THE BEACH.
The same gos with boxers of the pass, the 40s, 50s,60s 70s to now.
One last thing,look what happens to boxers that fight to long or past their prime.
SEND the BEACH TO THE STUD, HE HAS NOTHING MORE TO PROVE,HE IS ONE OF THE GREATS
THANK YOU VERY MUCH BRENT FOR TAKING MY PICTURE WITH THE BEACH WHEN HE WAS IN HIS TRAILER AT THE VETS,YOUR A GREAT GUY.DAVE.
For a kid who started at
For a kid who started at Kawarth Downs to become a young man to drive the greatest horse ever. How can Paul or Brent keep their composure when talking about Somebeachsomewhere? They must have nerves of steel. Brent got his back up a little when Holly asked him if that opened the door a little on Horse of the Year. In my opinion that door closed a couple of months ago. As I have always said great horses redeem themselves, above average horses don't. Congrats to Brent on a well managed career and to Paul for his class. Also, congratulations to Jean-Louis for the amazing job. Horse of the Year, Horse of the Century, Horse of a Lifetime.
"Beach" has had a wonderful
"Beach" has had a wonderful career and we are sorry that he will not be racing as a 4 year old. It would be so good for harness racing if he could continue racing. He has had many accolades and he deserves to be "Horse of the Year". I also feel that not enough credit has been given to Paul MacDonell. There is a great deal of pressure to drive an excellent horse because everyone expects so much and anything can happen in a horse race. Big Mac deserves an O'Brien award for horsemanship as well. How many HOY has he driven over the years?
In reply to "Beach" has had a wonderful by Anonymous (not verified)
...and he drew a lot of
...and he drew a lot of inside posts??? Never seen a horse draw so many inside posts in my life?? Odd the horse being touted as harness racing
's savior would draw all inside posts?? Faced adversity once and was beaten!! You can't get around that no matter how emotional you might get!!
SBSW is easily the horse of
SBSW is easily the horse of the year. He has multiple world records as a 2 and 3 year old and his only loss was by a head in a world record time where he was parked 3 wide for a bit. This horse paced sub 150 miles for fun. Dewey although a great horse is not even one of the 5 greatest trotters of all time.
The beach deserves to be in any debate as to who the greatest horse off all time is and to me it comes down to him and the great Niatross. The beach should make one more start after his race in dover and try and win one of them new fangled 7/8's of a mile races at woodbine on a monday night and then he will have truly done it all:)
In reply to SBSW is easily the horse of by Anonymous (not verified)
A lot of people are
A lot of people are convienently forgeting that Dewey won two big races from outside posts. I can't ever recall a trotter making up as much ground turning for home as Dewey did in Lexington. Something beach never had to do as he always scored from inside posts.
There are 3 super horses of
There are 3 super horses of harness racing history. Niatross, Cam Fella and Somebeachsomewhere. The only horse you can compare to the likes of thoroughbreds Secretariat and Man O War. I had a chance to purchase Cam fella as a 2 yr old for 75,000 when Doug Arthur trained him. My family backed out of the deal at the last moment.
I moved to Florida in 1988 and slowly lost interest in Harness racing. The past 3 years, I slowly got back into harness racing, mostly due to SBSW. I can tell you I have never seen a horse cross the ticker so easily as SBSW. The only race SBSW lost I personally blame Paul for the horrible trip he put the beach through. I am not taking anything away from Art Official because he raced his butt off also but if McDonell gives SBSW any kind of decent trip SBSW wins that race in 46 and change with ease. SBSW gets cut off at the turn and then parked the whole mile and three wide down the backstretch and turn with a half in 51 in change....Never seen or heard of and barely loses in the last steps...a race that started the end to Art Official.
Only one horse I can remember ever buried horses and that was Cam Fella. I also think that was the only race SBSW ever really saw the whip. Almost every race he is hand driven home. Nothing against Dewey but SBSW will be HOY. There is a slight chance they both could share the prize but Dewey's lost this week will put a ding in the voters eyes. SBSW just kills the ticker in any weather or track condition and just dominates the field no matter what style of race he has to endure.
I would have liked to seen him do a time trial with a horse galloping beside him or cutting out most of the mile....possibly 1:45 at the Red Mile. Goodluck to SBSW at Dover and his connections. SBSW has brought excitement back to harness racing like Cam fella did. Dewey doesn't.
In reply to There are 3 super horses of by Murray (not verified)
Murray, thanks for the
Murray, thanks for the article. I would add one more super horse to your list, Albatross. I to am a huge Cam Fella fan. Do you remember 1983 at the Meadowlands when Cam Fella defeated It's Fritz after being passed at the top of the stretch? Never saw anything like it. I knew then he was really special. Fans of Cam Fella were fortunate to see him race at four.
On to Dover and a chance at
On to Dover and a chance at another record, good weather and a fast track, MacDonell on the bike, and the Horse of the Year, Decade, Century, will do it. Go Beach!!!
In reply to On to Dover and a chance at by Maritimer (not verified)
The beach has went in under
The beach has went in under 1.50 in eleven of his twenty one starts to date,if that's not some achievement then this is:
Of the six fastest times taken by a 3yo,half of them have been by the beach!!!!!
Regardless of post
Regardless of post positions, SBSW is one of a select few to have graced the harness world with his speed, grit and determination. He always brings his A-game. I can't compare him to my favorite, Cam Fella because of longevity. However, both have the same enormous heart. When Cam Fella beat It's Fritz at the Meadowlands in 1983 I knew then he would never lose for lack of effort. SBSW sustained his only defeat in honor after narrowly missing in an incredimal record mile at the Meadowlands. When you're sitting around tossing down a few and the conversation turns to great harness champions, add one more name to that list, SBSW. He's earned it.
4 World Records (1 in 2007
4 World Records (1 in 2007 as a 2 yr old : 3 in 2008 as a 3yr old- 1 on a 1/2 mile and 1 on mile track and 1 as the co-holder of the All Age WR with Holborn Hanover ) plus a Single Season Earnings Record- this is SBSW's CV !!!
I suspect that racing in the Matron will be a possible attempt at a 5/8 mile track WR ( which is currently 1.48).
This horse didn't just beat the group he raced against, he beat the clock, several times !!! How many other Standardbreds have set World Records at 2 and 3( as well as tying the All Aged Record in the process)?
SBSW is a horse for the ages. To even be having a discussion of whether he will be named Horse of the Year in the US is nothing less than idiotic. If those who vote for such things choose any other horse, they should have their voting rights removed because they are either biased or incompetent and should surely hang their heads in shame if they do.
The best horse that I have
The best horse that I have ever seen racing. Amazging pure speed, and endurance. The right genes certainly came through as dominant in this fella.
In all my years of racing, I witnessed a first on Saturday night. At the spot where I was watching, I'm sure every fan in attendance was cheering for Somebeachsomewhere as they made the final turn into the stretch. The fans wanted to see the super horse win the breeders crown. Awesome race for Shadow Play and Blueridge Western as well, a 48.3 trip at 32F is simply amazing.
how soon people forget how
how soon people forget how good niatross really was i know its been over 29 years some of these people never even saw niatross or they would reconsider
WOW, Do I ever like the
WOW, Do I ever like the historymaker idea on boxing day - our sport certainly could use the positive hype. Headline - BEACH THUMPS AGED AND IMPORT FOES
Hey folks No one is saying
Hey folks
No one is saying that SBSW is not a great horse, he is amazing. Rather he has repeatedly drawn inside (there were a few choice among those inside positions that he earned) and he may have been a better champion if he had to go some hard miles to win. No matter what anyone says, post position dose make a big difference in many races - who makes the top? who takes a two hole trip? who gets parked? who has to go first over? Simply making the top and letting the flow set up behind you doesn't test any of these situations when you are the 'best' horse in the race.
In reply to Hey folks No one is saying by Anonymous2 (not verified)
Have you ever seen him race,
Have you ever seen him race, obviously not. He has rarely busted off the gate like he did in his last start. He usually floats out and and then paul lets him pace up the backside to make front. Post position would make no difference to him. There was a horse who tried to take him "once", I think his name was Art Official, And I believe it cooked him, he was never the same since.
Dewey is still horse of
Dewey is still horse of the year................no contest bad draws included.
In reply to Dewey is still horse of by Anonymous (not verified)
He may be your Horse of the
He may be your Horse of the year...but for most of us SBSW wins in a walk off. The fact that Bob Hayden asked Brent if He "felt the door opened up for him..." after Dewy lost puzzled me and considering his reaction Brent too. I would love to know what Bob Hayden feels SBSW would need to do to be considered the favorite for HOTY? Set a 5th World Record? Be an American horse? Earn $4 million? Perhaps after he is done at Dover THEN it will be enough.
Darryl
The beach is not getting the
The beach is not getting the respect he deserves,while niatross ,camfella were great, theses horses never had to be on the engine every race ,no 29 second quaters first or last ,for the beach every race he must race at his best ,and be at his best,in the beaches division there are at least three world champions ,he is just not the best of a good group ,he is the best of a great group,while he is good for racing what is good for him ,he has treated his owners well they are just returning the favour ,why do you think this horse is always great ,they treated him with the respect any animal should be given and he has returned the favour by being great.
great horse, yes. why did
great horse, yes. why did they not race him against aged horses at the big m after he lost there.great horses get parked,hang tough and pace to the finish.they dont need passing lanes and handed posts.
It was an awesome
It was an awesome performance to go a 1:48:3 mile on a track that seemed to handicap front runners with so many come from behind winners... it proves the "Beach" can handle any track or conditions and should be the "horse of the year"; it's unfortunate that "Dewy"'s final race and probably tremendous career will be tarnished by his 3rd place finish in the breeders but to be fair he was not 100% with a throat abscess....he still is a trotting phenom; it would not surprise me if the "Beach" and "Dewy" were voted "co-horses of the year"!
Hope there are elimations,
Hope there are elimations, Brent will be able to "sharpen him up" with 3 races in 3 weeks or 4 starts in 5 weeks.
How about no other decision
How about no other decision but Horse of the Year.
Dewey beat soundly twice.
Went by him twice like a freight train.
I don't trust the people who have the vote but there is no comparison.
The Beach could over come
The Beach could over come any post thrown at him and that's why is such a great horse. I say let him race these last two starts maybe and be done with it, he is going out with a bang, the way he deserves to. Does he have to prove he is the best again next year? No. because he has shown us that he is the best.
3 million purse ... Woodbine
3 million purse ... Woodbine Racetrack ... Boxing Day or New Years Day ... Packed Grandstand ... winner take all ... field of 5 ... Somebeachsomewhere , Auckland Reactor and the fans vote who the other 3 invites will be. Cmon WEG , you have 4 weeks to put it together, its the race of the century , its what legends are made of.
In reply to 3 million purse ... Woodbine by History Maker (not verified)
RE: 3 million purse ...
RE: 3 million purse ... Woodbine
It would be a fantastic race and be watched world wide on television. Reactor is more famous and known in Australia and New Zealand than the Beach is in North America but both are equally famous around the world.
While it would be a dream race made in heaven, it just can't happen since Auckland Reactor would never be able to make the journey from NZ and be ready to race in North America by Jan 1. He would need a few "qualifiers" raced with the conventional rolling gate we use here as opposed to the standing start that is common over in NZ. Reactor is a powerful enduring horse who does not start well from either a standing start or a rolling start and he would need to learn this starting off the gate to be competitive but there isn't enough time, 4 weeks is just too soon. I believe he could be ready by February the 15th, the new Canadian Family Day Holiday and the race would then be a spectacle never to be forgotten. The Beach would have to be at his best to win as would Reactor. The other 3 horses or more would make the race interesting to say the least but a 5 horse field would be perfect to watch and then no one could really complain about post positions 9 or 10 being a handicap, etc
If the new owners of Beach would delay his retirement until Feb 15 then I believe the owners of Reactor would accept the invitation and make the trip over for the "Race of the Century"
This horse is the best since
This horse is the best since niatross and will be a sad day when he leaves. I just hope he is a great sire
In reply to This horse is the best since by Anonymous (not verified)
the best ever ,bar none
the best ever ,bar none
This is awesome!!!!!!!!!
This is awesome!!!!!!!!! Hope this happens a few more times
Looks like this may have
Looks like this may have been in their minds to race on the 5/8 track after a win in the Crown .. to hold all speed marks is unheard of !! Again as I have said before truly a remarkable animal .. consider yourself blessed to see this athlete in your lifetime ... a legend is before us !!!
This is just one more race ,
This is just one more race , maybe 2
He is not coming back as a 4 year old
Think people are reading into this too much
In reply to This is just one more race , by Anonymous (not verified)
For the sake of harness
For the sake of harness racing hanover should bring this horse back next year. it's an absolute travesty that a horse of this caliber has had so few races.
If he's the horse he appears to be he'll make plenty of money in the aged ranks and should lower the all age world record considerably and do it in a legitimate race in the heat of summer where it really means something not some race that has been hand picked for him.
Give this horse a chance to be a true champion, let him take his outside posts along with his inside posts and show what he's really made of.
Some horses like human
Some horses like human athletes don't know when to quit. However let's remember we are not talking about a 15yo with 450 starts heading to some fair because when the connections try to turn him out he gets bored and plays with sharp objects. We are talking about a 3yo who will let them know when he is done. As forthe Barbaro arguement we have way less breakdowns in harness racing because the animals are more durable and trained constantly. I say race on.
In reply to Some horses like human by XLB STU (not verified)
Who is to say a breakdown
Who is to say a breakdown can't happen.... a simple thing like a bad step or a hobble breaking can cause a horse to go down and ?????; put yourself into the "Beach's" ownership shoes,...... would you risk all that breeding financial potential to prove what?
ITS NICE TO SEE AT LEAST ONE
ITS NICE TO SEE AT LEAST ONE MORE START OUT OF THIS GREAT HORSE. THE PROBLEM WITH HARNESS RACING TODAY IS THAT ITS SUPER STARS RACE A COUPLE OF YEARS AND THEN THEY GO TO THE BREEDING SHED. STANDARDBRED RACING NEEDS TO KEEP ITS SUPER STARS RACING LONGER TO KEEP THE FANS WE HAVE AND TO DRAW NEW PEOPLE TO THE GAME. COULD YOU IMAGINE SIDNEY CROSBY OR LeBRON JAMES RETIRING AFTER TWO YEARS OF PLAYING THERE RESPECTIVE SPORTS. IF THEY DID THE NHL AND NBA WOULD BE IN THE TOILET IN NO TIME. UNLESS THE POWERS TO BE IN HARNESS RACING DO NOT DO SOMETHING SOON TO KEEP THE GREAT HORSES RACING LONGER (BARING INJURY) STANDARDBRED RACING WILL CONTINUE ITS DECLINE. WE KNOW THIS IS A GREAT HORSE (PERHAPS THE GREATEST EVER) BUT WE WILL NEVER KNOW HIS TRUE POTENTIAL. IF I WAS PART OF THE OWNERS GROUP I WOULD THINK VERY HARD ABOUT THIS DECISION BECAUSE YOU WILL NEVER OWN A HORSE AS GREAT AS THIS FELLOW AGAIN . I AM SURE IN A YEAR FROM NOW THERE WILL BE SOME REGRETS AS TO "WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED??". IN THE END THE ALMIGHTY BUCK WINS AGAIN!!!
Congrats to all the
Congrats to all the connections of somebeachsomewhere and as well to those connected
with Shadow Play- both great champions in their own right. As a fan of harness racing,it is horses like these that remind us just how great our sport can be and at the same time promote our industry to the highest level. For this industry to move forward and bring new fans to the track, no other promotional campaign or industry ideas are more successfull than having the superstars perform on our tracks - this was very obvious this past year- thanks again SBSW and SP for helping promote our sport we love. Just wish the BOTH of you were going to allow us to watch more of the same next year.
"Greed, for a lack of a
"Greed, for a lack of a better word, is good" - Gordon Gekko
Don't take much stock in
Don't take much stock in career money earnings. Champions past didn't race for these kind of purses. This led to long and arduous careers. Today's animal has the better opportunity, larger purses, shorter careers.
In reply to Don't take much stock in by boxcar (not verified)
You are quite right. I was
You are quite right. I was just looking at my poster of Cam Fella. He won 28 races in 29 weeks!!! and not one for over $100,000. The only horse to earn multiple U.S. Horse of the Year titles in '82 & '83. Hmm, how great was he? Bring on "The Beach"!!
In reply to You are quite right. I was by Dave T. (not verified)
This is a different era -
This is a different era - one with many enhancers in this business. Hard to
compare horses but I would take Cam Fella any day !
I am glad they are going to
I am glad they are going to race him again. It is so awesome to watch him race. This is great for racing. Go Beach!!!
Finally, someone else
Finally, someone else noticed his preferential post positions? No question a great horse, but have we really seen the kind of race horse he is if he always leaves inside?
Dewey may not have been himself last night, but can you blame him after being off for an extended period and sick recently? One thing we do know is that Dewey can win from outside, with style.
He's going to have one maybe
He's going to have one maybe two starts at Dover, depends if they have elims. I for one am happy to get to see the beach again, he's Horse of the Year. he's got the 1/2 mile record, the Mile record, go for the clean sweep at Dover, it will be tough though, going to enjoy whatever he does winning by 5
Why chance a 4 year old
Why chance a 4 year old campaign? The "Beach" has done everything asked of him and more in records and will go down in history as the best 2 and 3 year old pacer. There is nothing to prove racing against older horses for a couple of million dollars and why chance a breakdown or even a "Barbaro".... Somebeachsomewhere is worth a lot more in the breeding shed (perhaps 60 or 70 million) and the connections know the potential...
Brent managed the colt superbly!
In reply to Why chance a 4 year old by Bo (not verified)
I totally agree........
I totally agree........
I say if the horse wants to
I say if the horse wants to race let him, SBSW is the best thing that has ever happened to our sport. You dont just hear about the bad news anymore, its all "hey did you watch SBSW last night, he is some kind of creature!" all good things are said about him. Yes he is the best on the track but he also brings in people that may never been to a track before. Let him be the champ on all size tracks because their may never be another horse like him. Nice job Brent! Best of luck at the Matron!
You all have to be kidding
You all have to be kidding me, you complain about horses retiring too early, now you have a horse that's still on top of his game and you want him to quit???? Dewey wasn't himself, Beach is. What will one maybe but I doubt two races hurt?
Sunrise, Dave Perkins column
Sunrise, Dave Perkins column in the October 27th Toronto Star included the following re potentially sending Somebeachsomewhere to the Matron:
"If MacGrath were to send SBSW to that one and win it, he would end up with all the money records, including for 2- and 3-year-old seasons combined, currently held by Nihilator at $3.225 million, as well as his four speed records."
Much of that had to do with Horse of the Year Honours being up for grabs should both SBSW and Deweycheatumnhowe have won tonight, but, let's put that aside and consider how great this horse is and what a feat it would be for SBSW to potentially accomplish money winning records and, who knows, perhaps add a 5/8 mile race track speed record to his resume.
Mr. McGrath, regardless of whether SBSW goes to the Matron and if so, regardless of the outcome, congratulations on your spectacular handling of one of the finest steeds to ever look through a bridle and thank you for allowing fans like me the opportunity to enjoy watching him race long into the season.
Paul MacDonell, you too should be commended on the terrific job you have done driving SBSW!!
Let's not forget Deweycheatumnhowe and Ray Schnittker's accomplishments this season. They have been unbelievable too!
2008 sure has been a wonderful year for harness racing!!
hopefully brent and hanover
hopefully brent and hanover will decide to race him next season....lets see him lock horns with some seasoned race horse's....after all he's had less start's then most of the 3yr olds...love to see him react to MR.BIG'S first over assault...or ARTISTIC FELLA raw speed...DO THE RIGHT THING FOR RACING BRENT LET THE "BEACH" DO WHAT HE WAS BRED TO DO RACE!!!!!!!!!!
I am from Truro where
I am from Truro where somebeach somewhere is and i believe that he shall keep racing , this is awsome, yeah it was said he was gonna retire, but y retire him right now when he is as good as ever??
I say let him keep racing for bit
This is quite simple! Let's
This is quite simple! Let's send to stud duty a World Champion on every size tracks. Can't blame Hanover for encouraging this one.
As much as I'd like too have
As much as I'd like too have the opportunity to watch him race again, it would be an utter shame to have what happened to Dewy tonight happen to the Beach in a couple of weeks. Should have gone out on a high note in my opinion, but every decision the connections have made so far have been right on the money.
What? WHY?? Now THIS makes
What? WHY??
Now THIS makes no sense whatsoever. He is retiring and the Breeders Crown was the place to end his career.
In reply to What? WHY?? Now THIS makes by sunrise (not verified)
Great decision!!! The Horse
Great decision!!! The Horse is great for the sport- keep racing him. He will have lots of time in the breeding shed, and who knows he may not be as good there, but we do know where he is good -- ON THE TRACK.
In reply to What? WHY?? Now THIS makes by sunrise (not verified)
Luck of the draw (right)
Luck of the draw (right) look at his last 20 starts Post 1 three times, Post 2 three times, Post 3 eight times, Post 4 two times, Post 5 three times, Post 6 one time. Pretty lucky he would be a different horse if he would the outside posts for more then half of his starts like alot of horses do.
In reply to Luck of the draw (right) by Anonymous (not verified)
Don't be like that buddy,if
Don't be like that buddy,if you are a fan of the sport then you would know that "THE BEACH" is the best thing to happen to our sport.I also would like to congradulate Dr.Moore on his colt, he raced a hell of a race!!!! It is too bad that they have to be 3yr olds in the same year!!!
In reply to Luck of the draw (right) by Anonymous (not verified)
Dosen't have anything to do
Dosen't have anything to do with lucky draws , you could give him the 10 post and he would still win .
In reply to Luck of the draw (right) by Anonymous (not verified)
I'm shocked that you
I'm shocked that you consider SBSW less than the spectaculasr animal he is because of post positions. While post position draw is an advantage, GREAT champions overcome bad posts. Look at his accomplishments. The best race of his career was his only loss. Most animals couldn't do what he's done and remain razor sharp. The Beach always shows up and has never had a bad day. Two more races in his career and then the lady's.
In reply to Luck of the draw (right) by Anonymous (not verified)
Post positions??? Are you
Post positions??? Are you kidding me!!
When you win heats in stakes races and get to choose your posts, you are going to count this against him. Be serious. It not a question of luck of the draw. He won the right to choose!
In reply to Post positions??? Are you by Anonymous (not verified)
pick your post doesn't apply
pick your post doesn't apply at Dover.
In reply to Luck of the draw (right) by Anonymous (not verified)
You must be
You must be kidding.....right, this horse would win if he drew post 18!
In reply to What? WHY?? Now THIS makes by sunrise (not verified)
for the sake of racing y
for the sake of racing y dont we name dewy and the beach as horses of the year that would be wonderfull because they are 2 GREAT HORSES.