Reg Petitpas, of Somebeachsomewhere fame, is no stranger to finding himself part of picture-perfect moments. The resident of Shediac Bridge, New Brunswick has made countless trips to the winner’s circle across North America, and he could be in store for more of the same courtesy of Varadero Hanover.
Petitpas, best known as co-owner of perhaps the greatest pacer of all-time, Somebeachsomewhere, now has a talented colt from that superstar’s first crop, and he's hoping Varadero Hanover can follow in his father’s famous footsteps.
With a pair of starts under his belt, Varadero Hanover has already tasted victory. He won his pari-mutuel debut, and followed it up with a second-place performance at Mohawk Racetrack.
When Monday’s first round of the Dream Maker Series gets underway at the Campbellville oval, Petitpas expects his pupil to be up to the task.
“He’s been a nice horse all winter,” Petitpas said. “He’s had a good start to his career so far and that should continue on Monday. He’s a very mature horse with a lot of class and loves his job.”
A $17,000 yearling purchase at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, Petitpas watched Varadero Hanover go through the sales ring, but failed to raise his hand.
“I got sidetracked because I was selling a few of my own that day and I sold one just before ‘Varadero,’” he said. “Afterwards, I found out that Blake MacIntosh bought the colt, so I went and offered him a profit of $3,000 and he took it. The rest is history.”
It was love at first sight for Petitpas, who had been eyeing Varadero Hanover for quite some time.
“Because of my relationship with ‘Beach’ and him standing stud at Hanover Shoe Farms, I looked at every ‘Beach’ they were selling that year and this horse stood out to me,” he said.
Following the sale, Petitpas elected to give the horse to Stephen Mahar to train before selling a piece of the horse to Geoffrey Lauzon and Dr. Ruth Irving.
“That was an easy decision,” Petitpas said, in offering the horse to Mahar to condition. “Steve is a very capable trainer and I’ve known him a long time. He trains at Pinehurst Training Center in North Carolina in the winter time and I have a place in Florida in the winter, as well, so it wasn’t too far for me to come see the horse train.”
Petitpas sees a lot of Somebeachsomewhere in his offspring.
“When I was at Mohawk watching him race, I really noticed that they have the same gait. Also, ‘Beach’ was a good-sized horse and he’s passed that onto ‘Varadero.’ He’s no kid's pony; he’s a really big horse.”
Varadero Hanover will begin from post three in the $20,000 Dream Maker Series first leg on Monday evening for driver Sylvain Filion. First race post is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
(WEG)
To view entries for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Entries – Mohawk Racetrack.