SBSW to meet Badlands Nitro in Big M Pace elimination

July 08, 2008

Somebeachsomewhere's perfect record was not enough to scare off the competition for the $1.1 million Meadowlands Pace on July 19 as 26 top 3-year-old colts, including the undefeated pacing powerhouse, have entered the July 12 eliminations. The first three finishers in each elimination, plus the fastest fourth-place finisher, will advance to the nation's richest event for sophomore pacers.

Somebeachsomewhere, trained by Brent MacGrath, is nine-for-nine entering the Meadowlands Pace eliminations. The 2007 divisional champion will try to become the first colt to sail through the $1.5 million North America Cup and Meadowlands Pace in undefeated style. Somebeachsomewhere will start from post five in the first of the three eliminations, race five, with Paul MacDonell at the lines. It will mark the first time the colt will race outside of his native Canada. Among the foes he will face in his elimination is Badlands Nitro, runner-up in the North America Cup and winner of the Art Rooney last week at Yonkers.

"All the horses he's raced against come from the (United) States and I don't think the border's going to stop this horse from being great," said MacDonell. "Right now he's right on his game and he's feeling good, and I would be surprised if he got beat anytime soon. He has that dominant gait to him, which I can pretty much use anytime I want, and then he can carry that speed, which a lot of horses can't do, for four quarters."

Somebeachsomewhere enters the Pace eliminations with just three starts under his belt this season. A bruised hoof cost him a month of racing in May.

"He stepped on a rock in the paddock and bruised the bottom of his foot," MacDonell said of the injury. "It was a little bit worrisome at the time. He seems to be over it now and he's come out of the North American Cup in fine fashion and he's ready to come down (to New Jersey). The last few weeks he's been right on his game and training strongly, getting ready for the Meadowlands Pace."

Recent upstart Upfront Hannahsboy headlines the second elimination, race six, from post eight. The colt is riding an impressive three-race streak that includes the North America Cup consolation, Cleveland Classic at Northfield Park and a record-setting 1:49.2 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes win at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Upfront Hannahsboy is one of two Pace contenders trained by Jim Arledge. His stablemate, Sand Shooter, will race in the third split.

The Meadowlands Pace includes one supplemental entry, Bullville Powerful, who tops the field for the final elimination, race seven, from post five. Steve Crevani paid $100,000 to supplement his homebred colt to the Pace. The fee is added to the to final purse, bumping the 2008 jackpot up to $1.1 million.

Bullville Powerful has a record of six wins and three seconds in nine starts this season, including a 1:49 scorcher in a 3-year-old open at the Meadowlands. He won the $242,275 Empire Breeders Classic on May 25 at Tioga Downs and was second in the $215,000 Berry's Creek on May 10 at the Meadowlands.

$50,000 Meadowlands Pace Elimination - Race 5

Post, Horse, Driver, Trainer
1, Art Official, Ron Pierce, Joe Seekman
2, Moon Beam, Yannick Gingras, Eric Abbatiello
3, Mucho Sleazy, Ron Pierce, Ken Rucker
4, Grab Your Keys, Cat Manzi, Taylor Gower
5, Somebeachsomewhere, Paul MacDonell, Brent MacGrath
6, Badlands Nitro, Brian Sears, George Teague Jr.
7, Weekend Gambler, Ron Pierce, Mark Silva
8, Meant To Be Me, John Campbell, Linda Toscano

$50,000 Meadowlands Pace Elimination - Race 6

Post, Horse, Driver, Trainer
1, Share The Delight, John Campbell, Linda Toscano
2, Lisfinny, Ron Pierce, Robert McIntosh
3, Tiz A Masterpiece, TBA, Blair Burgess
4, Blueridge Western , Yannick Gingras, Mickey Burke
5, Mystery Chase, David Miller, Jim Campbell
6, Dontloseyourdayjob, Yannick Gingras, Jeff Smith
7, Frankyluvsmeatballs, Luke Plano, Rick Plano
8, Upfront Hannahsboy, Tim Tetrick, Jim Arledge
9, Santanna Blue Chip, Jody Jamieson, Carl Jamieson

$50,000 Meadowlands Pace Elimination - Race 7

Post, Horse, Driver, Trainer
1, Dragon King, David Miller, Roy Williams
2, Sand Shooter, Tim Tetrick, Jim Arledge
3, Robertthebruce, Andy Miller, Erv Miller
4, Dali, Luc Ouellette, Duane Marfisi
5, Bullville Powerful, Yannick Gingras, Steve Crevani
6, Atochia, Tim Tetrick, Peter Kleinhans
7, Deuce Seelster, Ron Pierce, Ross Croghan
8, Legacy N Diamonds, Jody Jamieson, Carl Jamieson
9, Brother Ray, David Miller, Ken Rucker

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