Born to Pace

Somebeachsomewhere, the hottest property in all of harness racing, will be looking to win his third $1-million-plus race Tonight when he leaves from Post 2 in the US$1.1-million Meadowlands Pace for three-year-olds at The Meadowlands racetrack in East Rutherford, N.J.
A perfect 10-for-10 in his career, Somebeachsomewhere could surpass the $2-million mark in earnings for the Schooner Stables of Truro if he wins.
His trainer, Brent MacGrath, is predicting the colt will not only win, but will break the stakes record of 1:48.3 he equalled last Saturday when he paced the fastest elimination heat of the Meadowlands Pace.
MacGrath made the prediction at a news conference that accompanied the official draw for the big race.
"I think he will be sharper this week."?said MacGrath, who added he had sharpened the colt's shoes because he encountered trouble gripping the racing surface at the start of last week's race.
"He had a month off following the North America Cup win, and I just think he will be stronger this week," said MacGrath, who put the pacer through a light workout Thursday at a training centre in Wallkill, N.Y.
"We just try to keep him happy. He loves it here," said MacGrath, who says the training centre is located in a rural setting with lots of clean air.
MacGrath's prediction of a stakes record win didn't go over with some of the other trainers.
They pointed to the predictions made by the trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown, prior to the Belmont Stakes defeat.
But MacGrath suggested his prediction wasn't being boastful.
"I?think he's that good. He's certainly never disappointed us. Everything he has done, he has done very comfortable. He is definitely as good as he looks."
Somebeachsomewhere has met most of his nine rivals before, kicking dirt in their faces as he won from start to finish against the best three-year-olds in North America.
One he hasn't faced before is Bullville Powerful, whose owners paid a US$100,000 supplemental fee to get him into the eliminations, where he finished third. He leaves from Post 7.
Somebeachsomewhere has been established as the 2-5 morning line favourite. (That means you would have to wager $5 to win $2).
The colt's six owners are all expected to be on hand for the Meadowlands final. Pam Dean of Westchester Station, Garry Pye of Truro and Reg Petitpas of Shediac Bridge, N.B., were all on hand for last week's race, but Stu Rath and Jamie Bagnell were guests at a private event at Fox Harb'r resort where Anne Murray was reported to be the guest of honour.
Dean, the lone woman among the ownership ranks, is the horse's official agent.
"They send the purse cheques to her," laughed MacGrath. Dean and her husband operate a drilling and blasting company in Sutherlands Lake, Cumberland Co.
Maritime racetrack teletheatre locations are expected to be jammed as usual for today's race, which goes to post at 11:14 p.m.
"We're expecting a big crowd, especially where this race is not being shown on television," said Diane Daniels of the Truro Raceway office.
Truro Raceway has been staging "beach parties" since the horse gained prominence last year. A normal simulcast crowd of 30-50 swells to more than 100 when Somebeachsomewhere races.
Patrons begin to arrive shortly before 6 p.m. at the Horse-Shoe Sports Bar in Dieppe, N.B. in order to get a seat.
"He's been great for business," says Joe Kelly, the Truro Raceway manager, who says the simulcast wager doubles when Somebeachsomewhere races.
Already, there have been calls for the owners of Somebeachsomewhere not to retire the horse to stud at the end of his three-year-old season.
"Harness racing needs a superstar like this," said Daryl Kaplan, editor of Trot Magazine.
So far, the Schooner Stables has turned down all offers and are still looking at their options.
Hanover Shoe Farm in Pennsylvania has offered $7.5-million for the horse after his racing career.
That might not be enough.
It is expected that if Somebeachsomewhere enters the stud ranks next year, he will command a fee of $25,000 per mare. He could be expected to service at least 150 mares.
You do the math.

Doug Harkness is editor of Atlantic Post Calls
magazine based in Amherst.