by Greg Blanchard, media/communications, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Campbellville, ON — Somebeachsomewhere made a triumphant return to Mohawk Racetrack on Sunday (August 3) and had a large crowd cheering in the stretch as he captured a C$50,000 3-year-old Open Pace for Paul MacDonell in 1:49.

Somebeachsomewhere scored in 1:49 in a sophomore open on Sunday.

The clocking was just a fifth off the track record for 3-year-old colt pacers and was the third time he has equaled that time at the Campbellville oval this season. Keystone Horatio followed all the way in second and was a solid runner-up with The Mohegan Pan finishing third.

Sunday’s effort was the first start since the son of Mach Three-Wheres The Beach suffered his first career loss at the hands of Art Official in the $1.1 million Meadowlands Pace Final on July 19.

“He certainly was no worse for wear after his Meadowlands experience,” said a beaming Paul MacDonell afterwards. “WEG was good enough to write a race like this and it was nice to get back up behind him and see that he is as good as ever. I just kept him at his task, but he did it effortlessly. It’s always incredible to come and sit up behind a horse like this and watch the way the crowd has taken to him.”

A throng about double the size of a regular Sunday gathering turned out to watch the much-talked about superstar and were not disappointed. Just as they did on Pepsi North America Cup night, the crowd applauded the colt on post parade, in the homestretch and in the winner’s circle.

Sunday’s race served as a prep for next Sunday’s (August 10) Ontario Sires Stakes Gold final at Mohawk. It will the first time Somebeachsomewhere has raced in the OSS program.

Woodbine Entertainment has a big ‘beach party’ planned for next Sunday to celebrate the pacing phenom. Special collector posters will be given out, there will be a trip giveaway and an autograph session with Paul MacDonell and Brent MacGrath.

More details will be announced in the coming days.

Raising Rachel flawless in capturing In Free Final

Raising Rachel completed a sweep of the C$47,200 In Free Trotting Series for 2-year-old fillies on Sunday night with a thoroughly dominant victory in 1:59.3.

Jack Moiseyev was up behind the daughter of Yankee Glide-Raising The Bar and had her situated fourth in the early stages as longshot Too Grand shot to command in the first quarter of :30 seconds. Moiseyev wasted no time in gunning Raising Rachel to the front in the second quarter and led the field past the half in a leisurely 1:00.3.

New Image Media photos

Raising Rachel remained unbeaten with a 1:59.3 victory in the In Free Final.

From that point on, the slick-gaited filly simply widened her advantage in keeping her undefeated streak intact at four with a punishing 14-1/4 length margin of victory. It was also the fourth straight victory on the Sunday night program for Moiseyev, who rattled off victories in the first five races on the card.

Longshot Faux Fur Hanover rallied to pick up the place spot with Youre Still Theone finishing third. The winner returned $3.00 for the victory.

“She was a little green in her first couple of starts, but she has really been improving and she felt like an old aged racehorse out there tonight,” said Moiseyev. “I think she is a special filly. There was lots left in the tank tonight. I just chirped to her once and she took right off.”

John Kopas trains Raising Rachel, who increased her seasonal bankroll to $62,209 for owners Mel Hartman, K R Stable, Doug Millard, and George Hempt.