In terms of his work with Somebeachsomewhere, Brent MacGrath has been right on his game. Although, tomorrow night at the Meadowlands Racetrack the owner-trainer will have to be sharp in a different aspect of the racing game.
During the Meadowlands' nine-race Thursday card, MacGrath will find himself in a position he hasn't been in a long time -- behind the mic.
"I did some announcing at Truro [Raceway] years ago," MacGrath told Trot Insider. "In the winner's circle on Saturday night I mentioned something about it. Sam McKee picked up on it from there and now I'm going to be announcing a race this Thursday night at the Meadowlands."
If MacGrath is nervous, he sure isn't letting on.
"The last time I announced a race was probably 20 years ago" he explained. "The way it has all set up, I'm not really nervous. I think I'm supposed to be calling a race with a six-horse field. I'll go over the program a couple of hours before. If the weather is alright, I don't think I'll have an issue."
In terms of Somebeachsomewhere, MacGrath noted that his star -- and lone -- pupil came out of the Meadowlands Pace eliminations in fine order.
Somebeachsomewhere - 1:48.3
"He's been really, really good and strong," MacGrath said. "I went five or six miles with him today and he was full of himself."
Somebeachsomewhere will start from Post 2 in the $1.1 million Meadowlands Pace Saturday night at the East Rutherford, New Jersey oval. Paired with Paul MacDonell, the duo has been installed as the 2-5 morning line favourite.