Somebeachsomewhere, Dali win Burlington Stakes divisions

The countdown to the $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup has begun. The richest race on the continent for three-year-old pacers will be contested June 14 at Mohawk Racetrack and Saturday night, three $100,000 divisions of the Burlington Stakes showcased the leading hopefuls for the classic.

And while the contenders will still have to qualify next week in Cup eliminations, with the winners getting to select post positions for the final, it looks like they’ll all have to beat Somebeachsomewhere, last year’s champion in both Canada and the United States, who returned to the races with an awesome performance.

Sent postward the overwhelming 1-4 favourite in his seasonal debut, Somebeachsomewhere, with regular driver Paul MacDonell, left casually from the rail, as Santanna Blue Chip, last year’s Breeders Crown winner, took the field to an opening quarter in 28.1.

But Somebeachsomewhere then swept to the front, reaching the half in :55.3, before coasting to the three-quarter mile mark in 1:23.2. After that, MacDonell kept his champion colt under wraps, easing to the wire one and one-half lengths to the good over Santanna Blue Chip, with On The Brink third, in 1:51.3 in the second Burlington division.

“There was a lot of anticipation over this horse all winter and most of the spring,’ said MacDonell. “It was nice to get him behind the gate and get him back in racing style again. He’ll have lots of chances to leave the gate this year, I figure. I didn’t want to get him stirred up too early, right off the bat.

“He was up to that race pretty easily. It’ll get tougher from here, no doubt. But I was very happy with the way he finished off his mile. Times don’t really don’t mean much. It’s how they get to the wire that is more important, especially early in the season. I think this race will serve him well for the future.”

Jody Jamieson, who piloted Santanna Blue Chip to the place spot, commented, “I wanted a tightener in him – he needed it. He’s done two qualifiers and really hasn’t been the speed Dali and Somebeachsomewhere have been. It worked out great, he got out from the ten hole in :28 and one (fifth). I really didn’t want to sting him too hard, in :26 or something like that.

“I don’t think we were going to beat him. I don’t think Somebeachsomewhere was right on his game tonight but I don’t think we were ready to beat him anyways. That’s the goal… to try to race with him and try to get the big money in a couple weeks.”

Trained and co-owned by Brent MacGrath for the Schooner Stables of Bible Hill, Nova Scotia, Somebeachsomewhere was a perfect six-for-six last year, highlighted by his world record mark of 1:49.3 in the rich Metro Pace. He was voted two-year-old colt pacer of the year in both Canada and the United States, and also shared Canadian Horse of the Year honours with Cup winner Tell All.

Originally, he was supposed to start his 2008 campaign in an Ontario Sires Stakes earlier in the month, but a bruised foot delayed his debut until tonight.

In the first Burlington division, the even money favourite Dali, with driver Luc Ouellette, got the job done in 1:50.3. Also making his seasonal debut, for trainer Duane Marfisi and the Uncirculated Stable of Brantford, Ontario, Dali took over before the half, then repulsed all challengers the rest of the way.

After taking the field to the half in :55.2 and the three-quarters in 1:22.4, Dali brushed off second choice Sand Shooter in early stretch, before holding Art Official, who closed with a rush on the outside, safe by a length, with longshot Stonebridge Magnum third.

Last year, the son of Real Artist enjoyed a very productive campaign, winning five of 10 outings, including the Woodrow Wilson, en route to banking almost $460,000.

“Usually he’s a little rammy coming out of there, kind of loose-lined, but when he moved to the front, he (driver Ouellette) had to call on him,” said Marfisi. “You’re always concerned. It was his first start of the year. He qualified 10 days ago. How tight do you have him? You’re worried about that. I’ve got him overweight right now. I’m hoping he’s tight for the final of the Cup, that’s what I’m aiming for.”

The wide-open third division went to John Kopas-trained Keystone Horatio, who rallied from fourth in deep stretch to defeat Deuce Seelster by one length, with Lonestar Legend third, in 1:51.4.

Driven by Randall Waples, Keystone Horatio was content to stay well behind Lonestar Legend, who made all the pace, in 26.4, 55.1 and 1:23.2, before succumbing to the closers in late stretch.

It was the second win in three starts this year for Keystone Horatio, after coming off a banner two-year-old season which saw the Rustler Hanover colt bank over $470,000.

“I was really happy with him,” said Waples. “He knows where the wire is. He likes to go by horses. He’s got the speed to do it with, if you get him in the right situation and give him some racetrack to work with. He’s got a lot of hard racing the next couple of weeks, so it worked out good. I didn’t have to use him hard. We were off a little further than I thought we would be at the head of the lane. I didn’t know if we were going to be able to track them down because the wind was pretty tough out there.” (WEG)

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