Somebeachsomewhere wires the field in 1:49.3

Undefeated Somebeachsomewhere, driven by Paul MacDonell, wired his nine rivals in the $1 million Metro Pace for two-year-olds Saturday at Mohawk Racetrack and in the process set a world record of 1:49.3

At the finish of the richest race on the continent for two-year-olds, Somebeachsomewhere was a two-length winner over a game, charging Moon Beam, who came on late to edge Santanna Blue Chip for second.

The final clocking eclipsed the mark of 1:49.4 set by Rocknroll Hanover in 2004 in the Metro when it was held at Woodbine.

Sent postward the 8-5 choice, Somebeachsomewhere, a son of Mach Three, rocketed to the front from the four-hole and was never threatened by his pursuers. After cranking up a 26.3 first quarter, MacDonell jetted to the half in a blistering 54.2 while maintaining a two length lead on Santanna Blue Chip. After the three-quarters was reached in a sizzling 1:21.4, the bay colt still had plenty left in the tank coming to the wire for his fourth consecutive win.

Last week, he’d scored easily in the fastest of the three Metro elims, 1:52.1 but MacDonell, who had also driven Deuce Seelster to a convincing win in another elimination, still had to make a difficult choice for the Metro between the two undefeated colts. Tonight’s results proved he chose wisely.

“I didn’t believe (the fractions),” said MacDonell. “The half really shocked me…54 and a piece. He was just on air doing it, with relative ease. He was so full of himself even going to the three-quarters in 1:21 and a piece. He just had ‘tonnes’.

“I didn’t think he was that much better (than the others, going into tonight). I really didn’t. I knew he was a really, really nice colt. I trained him here for (co-owner) Brent (MacGrath) one day and he did what a lot of aged horses probably can’t do.”

Owned by the Schooner Stables of Truro, Nova Scotia, Somebeachsomewhere was a $40,000 yearling purchase in Kentucky by MacGrath, who subsequently offered shares to several of his car dealership customers and trained him in three qualifiers in Truro prior to shipping the colt to Ontario in late July.

“It is a dream,” said trainer Jean-Louis Arsenault. “I never thought it could happen. It’s unbelievable. He’s been doing everything perfect. He’s done it all.”

As to how this win compared to Arsenault winning the recent Gold Cup and Saucer in Charlottetown with Silent Swing, he added, “They’re both a great dream, but a world record, 49 and three for two-year-olds in a million dollar pace. Can’t ask for anything better.”

Somebeachsomewhere picked up $500,000 for the victory and has now earned $682,000 already, with much more on the horizon. Prior to tonight, his biggest score came in the $300,000 Battle of Waterloo at Grand River Raceway in Elora, Ontario.

It was the third Metro win for the 44-year-old MacDonell, an Oshawa native who now lives in Guelph. He previously won with longshot Rustler Hanover in 1997, then with Jeremes Jet in 2005.

Somebeachsomewhere paid $5.50, $3.20 and $2.80, combining with Moon Beam ($3.80, $3) for a $24 (4-3) exactor. A 4-3-1 (Santanna Blue Chip, $4.30 to show) triactor returned $108.40.

To see a replay of the race click here.

(Mohawk)

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