The influence exerted by the late Somebeachsomewhere on the breeding industry is borne out in the field for Saturday night’s C$1 million North America Cup to be held at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Ontario.
No less than six of the 10 runners in Canada’s signature event for three-year-old pacers carry the blood of ‘Beach’.
Somebeachsomewhere, the 2008 North America Cup winner, is represented by Beach Glass (pictured), an elimination winner in 1:51, and Frozen Hanover, while Night Hawk is out of one of his daughters.
Incidentally, Beach Glass is trained by Brent MacGrath, who put the polish on Somebeachsomewhere throughout his stellar career.
Two of Somebeachsomewhere’s sons in Captaintreacherous, winner of the 2013 edition, and Downbytheseaside are also represented. Captaintreacherous has two finalists in I Did It Myway and Ario Hanover, while Downbytheseaside’s lone entrant, Pebble Beach, won the fastest elimination in 1:49.8 and has been installed the 8-to-5 morning line favourite.
There is a powerful ‘down under’ presence in the Cup as Pebble Beach is prepared by Mount Isa-born Noel Daley and driven by former top NSW reinsman Todd McCarthy, who is making his Cup debut. Meanwhile, Ario Hanover, a 10-to-1 chance, will be piloted by champion NZ driver Dexter Dunn.
The 10 Cup runners have amassed C$1.54 in prizemoney between them with Pebble Beach (C$431,750) clearly the richest.
The North America Cup is the highlight of a stakes-laden card with over C$2.45 million up for grabs.
Other features on the 13-race program are the $401,000 Fan Hanover for three-year-old pacing fillies, the C$315,000 Roses Are Red for pacing mares, the C$251,000 Goodtimes for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings, the C$211,000 Armbro Flight for trotting mares and the C$100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup for open pacers.
