Post by Peter Gross on Feb 3, 2009 6:55:50 GMT -5
The O'Brien Awards, recognizing accomplishments in Canadian Harness Racing was a terrific night for the industry. Emcees Ken Middleton and Jason Portuondo ( who also co-hosted the Sovereigns) did a lovely job - they are witty and very comfortable with a crowd and they moved the business along at an excellent pace; not as fast as a Somebeachsomewhere closing quarter, but close!
It was, of course, a night of overwhelming bling for Somebeachsomewhere, the greatest pacer ever (come on, argue with me). Beach won the Cam Fella Award, which usually goes to a two-footer for remarkable accomplishment in the sport. He also won as Outstanding Three Year-Old and as the Horse of the Year. His human partner, Paul MadDonell scored the O'Brien as Driver of the Year.
The most gracious man of the night just might have been Jody Jamieson. Jamieson, on form, looked like the favourite as Driver of the Year - he had many more starts, many more wins, more $ and a much more impressive driving average than MacDonell, but early on, Jamieson called the shot.
When Federal Flex won as the top Trotting Colt of 2008, Jamieson, that horse's driver, accepted the trophy and made the unusual move of telling the crowd that, "This was the night to recognize Somebeachsomewhere and Paul MacDonell."
Well before the butternut squash soup (yummy) was even served, Jamieson knew he wouldn't be taking home a trophy, in spite of leading all reinsman at Woodbine. After the awards he explained why.
"For Paul MacDonell not to win an O'Brien would have been a travesty of justice," said the clean shaven one. "Paul is a class act and I model myself after him. What Somebeachsomewhere and his connections did this year will benifit this sport for the next 15 or 20 years."
Brent MacGrath, the trainer and co-owner of Beach was, as usual, smiling and friendly. Part of the incredible success for the Schooner Stable this year, was the thoughtful and meticulous way Beach's schedule was planned by MacGrath. It was always about the horse and no move was made if the horse's health was remotely an issue. MacGrath, without being a Richard Dutrow-type publicity hound with a massive ego, was always accessible to the media, recognizing perhaps more than anyone, how important his fabulous pacer was to the game. Writer Perry Lefko and I had an unforgettable experience in the spring, before Somebeachsomewhere even raced as a three year-old. MacGrath met us in the parking lot at Mohawk Raceway and led us to his Campbelleville farm where we spent the better part of an hour with the famous horse. We were allowed in his stable and MacGrath brought him out for pictures. Our daughters posed with the horse.
All of us have pictorial reminders of our close up with racing history.
There was at least one very interesting moment at the O'Briens that did not have a Somebeachsomewhere angle to it. 56 year-old Robert McIntosh was named the Trainer of the Year and in his acceptance message, pointed out that whatever problems harness racing might have, "we don't have a problem with WEG." McIntosh urged his fellow horsemen to support Bill O'Donell as the new president of OHHA as that group tries to reconstruct a working relationship with Woodbine.
Before the night ended, all of us received a little bottle of sand, taken from a beach in Nova Scotia, we were told. A tribute to Somebeachsomewhere. The question I have is...is there any of Beach's DNA in this sand?
It was, of course, a night of overwhelming bling for Somebeachsomewhere, the greatest pacer ever (come on, argue with me). Beach won the Cam Fella Award, which usually goes to a two-footer for remarkable accomplishment in the sport. He also won as Outstanding Three Year-Old and as the Horse of the Year. His human partner, Paul MadDonell scored the O'Brien as Driver of the Year.
The most gracious man of the night just might have been Jody Jamieson. Jamieson, on form, looked like the favourite as Driver of the Year - he had many more starts, many more wins, more $ and a much more impressive driving average than MacDonell, but early on, Jamieson called the shot.
When Federal Flex won as the top Trotting Colt of 2008, Jamieson, that horse's driver, accepted the trophy and made the unusual move of telling the crowd that, "This was the night to recognize Somebeachsomewhere and Paul MacDonell."
Well before the butternut squash soup (yummy) was even served, Jamieson knew he wouldn't be taking home a trophy, in spite of leading all reinsman at Woodbine. After the awards he explained why.
"For Paul MacDonell not to win an O'Brien would have been a travesty of justice," said the clean shaven one. "Paul is a class act and I model myself after him. What Somebeachsomewhere and his connections did this year will benifit this sport for the next 15 or 20 years."
Brent MacGrath, the trainer and co-owner of Beach was, as usual, smiling and friendly. Part of the incredible success for the Schooner Stable this year, was the thoughtful and meticulous way Beach's schedule was planned by MacGrath. It was always about the horse and no move was made if the horse's health was remotely an issue. MacGrath, without being a Richard Dutrow-type publicity hound with a massive ego, was always accessible to the media, recognizing perhaps more than anyone, how important his fabulous pacer was to the game. Writer Perry Lefko and I had an unforgettable experience in the spring, before Somebeachsomewhere even raced as a three year-old. MacGrath met us in the parking lot at Mohawk Raceway and led us to his Campbelleville farm where we spent the better part of an hour with the famous horse. We were allowed in his stable and MacGrath brought him out for pictures. Our daughters posed with the horse.
All of us have pictorial reminders of our close up with racing history.
There was at least one very interesting moment at the O'Briens that did not have a Somebeachsomewhere angle to it. 56 year-old Robert McIntosh was named the Trainer of the Year and in his acceptance message, pointed out that whatever problems harness racing might have, "we don't have a problem with WEG." McIntosh urged his fellow horsemen to support Bill O'Donell as the new president of OHHA as that group tries to reconstruct a working relationship with Woodbine.
Before the night ended, all of us received a little bottle of sand, taken from a beach in Nova Scotia, we were told. A tribute to Somebeachsomewhere. The question I have is...is there any of Beach's DNA in this sand?
