by T.J. Burkett, associate editor, Hoof Beats

Lexington, KY — Somebeachsomewhere drew away from his Bluegrass foes with one mission in mind: become the fastest Standardbred ever. He and driver Paul MacDonell valiantly attacked the 1:46.4 race record and managed to equal that mark with a victory at The Red Mile on Saturday afternoon (September 27).

Nigel Soult photo

Somebeachsomewhere won his Bluegrass division in 1:46.4, equaling the all-age race mark set by Holborn Hanover.

MacDonell sent Somebeachsomewhere to the lead and he did all the work himself, pacing through fractions of :26.4, :52.4 and 1:19.2. The din of the crowd grew to cheers of encouragement as the son of Mach Three-Wheres The Beach crossed under the wire, tying Holborn Hanover’s race record set at The Meadowlands in 2006.

Somebeachsomewhere faced 70-degree temperatures and a 10 mph headwind in the backstretch. MacDonell said he hopes for better conditions next week to take on the record again.

“The conditions weren’t exactly 100 percent,” he said. “He did have a bit of a breeze in his face, but this just shows how great of a horse that he is. The track condition was excellent, though.

“Once he got to the quarter in :26.4 I let him step up a little bit. I wanted him to get down to the half a little faster, but I talked to John Campbell before the race and he said don’t worry about the early fractions…and he was right.”

Trainer Brent MacGrath had to treat some sickness before he arrived with Somebeachsomewhere earlier this week.

“He had three weeks off and he was a little sick in his last start,” he said. “I think we’ve got him close to 100 percent now. I think he’s got another half-second in him.”

Somebeachsomewhere will start next in the Tattersalls Pace at The Red Mile for owner Schooner Stables of Nova Scotia.