from Harness Racing Communications, a division of the USTA

East Rutherford, NJ — Undefeated Somebeachsomewhere will start from post two in Saturday’s (July 19) $1.1 million Meadowlands Pace final and was made the prohibitive 2-5 favorite in the morning line.

Somebeachsomewhere, the winner of all 10 career starts, won his Meadowlands Pace elimination race in 1:48.3 on July 12. The time was the fastest elim in Meadowlands Pace history and equaled Rocknroll Hanover’s stakes record. The 3-year-old colt has earned $1.6 million for the Schooner Stable of Nova Scotia, which is headed by trainer Brent MacGrath. Paul MacDonell is the driver.

Trainer Linda Toscano answers questions from Meadowlands announcer Sam McKee.

The connections for the elimination race winners got to select their post positions. Share The Delight, which had first choice, will start from post one and Sand Shooter, picking third, will start from post three. Share The Delight’s trainer, Linda Toscano, succinctly explained her selection by saying, “We’ll take the shortest way around.”

Somebeachsomewhere’s elimination victory was his first race since winning the $1.47 million North America Cup on June 14 at Mohawk Racetrack, and his first start outside Canada.

“The horse really needed the tightener,” MacGrath said. “I probably trained him three times total since the North America Cup. Paul just jogged him a couple times to warm him up and clean him out. (Last Saturday) was his first time around the gate in a long time. This time, on a seven-day start, he should be a little sharper.”

With a win Saturday, Somebeachsomewhere would become the first undefeated horse to win the Meadowlands Pace. In addition, the elimination victory was Somebeachsomewhere’s third in a row in 1:49 or less, which tied 2006 Meadowlands Pace winner Artistic Fella for the most wins in 1:49 or less by a 3-year-old in history.

“I jogged him out of the retention barn (last) Saturday morning and by the time I got finished cleaning my equipment he was stretched out sleeping,” MacGrath said. “But he loves to race and he gets pumped up.”

Badlands Nitro, who was second to Somebeachsomewhere in the North America Cup, drew post nine and was made the 6-1 second choice in the morning line. He is trained by George Teague, Jr., who won last year’s race with Southwind Lynx, and will be driven by Brian Sears.

USTA/Ellen Harvey photos

Sam McKee (center) talks to Yannick Gingras (left) about owner/trainer Stephen Crevani’s (right) $100,000 supplement of Bullville Powerful to the Meadowlands Pace.

Sand Shooter, driven by Tim Tetrick, who drove Southwind Lynx last year, and trained by Jim Arledge, Jr., is 8-1.

When asked about strategy, Jason Moore, an assistant trainer for Arledge, replied it would be in the hands of Sand Shooter’s driver. “That’s what Tetrick gets paid for,” Moore quipped. “He’s the one with all the wins.”

Bullville Powerful, whose connections paid $100,000 to supplement into the Meadowlands Pace, will start from post seven with driver Yannick Gingras. He is trained by owner Stephen Crevani.

“With a race like this, you put a hundred thousand up, we ain’t taking back,” Gingras said about his own strategy.

Below is the full field in post position order.

Post, Horse, Driver, Morning Line
1, Share The Delight, John Campbell, 10-1
2, Somebeachsomewhere, Paul MacDonell, 2-5
3, Sand Shooter, Tim Tetrick, 8-1
4, Atochia, Brian Sears, 30-1
5, Mucho Sleazy, David Miller, 30-1
6, Art Official, Ron Pierce, 10-1
7, Bullville Powerful, Yannick Gingras, 12-1
8, Dontloseyourdayjob, Eric Goodell, 30-1
9, Badlands Nitro, Brian Sears, 6-1
10, Tiz A Masterpiece, Andy Miller, 30-1