It was 10 years ago this year that pacing colt Somebeachsomewhere dominated harness racing's headlines throughout his nearly flawless sophomore season.
In honour of the Canadian-sired superstar many consider one of the greatest Standardbreds to ever look through a bridle, Trot Insider will post the news stories from his on-track appearances throughout the year as they happened a decade ago along with the replays from those captivating races.
It was 10 years ago today that Somebeachsomewhere demolished his rivals at The Red Mile in a division of the Bluegrass Stakes and established a new world record of 1:46.4. While it shaved just one fifth of a second off Art Official's two-month-old record of 1:47, this 1:46.4 record remains 10 years later. Of harness racing's world records over the three major track sizes at a standard one-mile distance, it's one of only three still on the record books that boast a decade or more of longevity.
Trot Insider discussed the record-setting day with driver Paul MacDonell.
Somebeachsomewhere Equals World Record
Somebeachsomewhere made a huge statement this afternoon with a sizzling 1:46.4 world record equaling performance in the final $134,000 Bluegrass division for three-year-old pacers at The Red Mile.
Somebeachsomewhere (Paul MacDonell) took command of the field right from the get-go posting panels of :26.4, :52.4 and 1:19.2 en route to victory in 1:46.4.
Mystery Chase (Brian Sears) finished seven and a half lengths back in second and Dali (Luc Ouellette) was third.
The time of the mile shaves one-fifth of a second off Art Official's old record, and equals the time of Holborn Hanover for the fastest race mile in harness racing history.
Brent MacGrath conditions the $40,000 Lexington Select purchase for the Schooner Stable of Bible Hill, N.S. The son of Mach Three now sports a record of 16-1-0 in 17 lifetime starts with $2,457,255 in lifetime earnings.
Last year, 'The Beach' shared honours as Canada's Horse of the Year (with Tell All) and he also won the O'Brien Award for two-year-old pacing colts.