MILTON, August 28, 2021 – The Somebeachsomewhere on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park offered one final prep for a group of Pepsi North America Cup eligible horses. A group of 13 three-year-old pacers were split into a pair of Somebeachsomewhere divisions. Bulldog Hanover stamped himself as the favourite heading into the ‘Cup’ eliminations with an impressive 1:48.2 victory in the $85,250 second division. Jody Jamieson guided the Jack Darling trainee to the career-best score. “We were looking for a big effort like this going into the NA Cup next week,” said Darling. “Last week he was good, but not as good as he had been and Jody said he was just kind of spinning his wheels a bit, so we just made some minor alterations to his shoeing and it seemed to help.” The early stages of the contest saw Bettor Sun and Bulldog Hanover land second and third behind Bettim Again. Both horses were given their cue to drive around the early leader in the first turn, with Bulldog Hanover securing the lead shortly after completing three-eighths of the mile. ‘Bulldog’ rolled by the half in :55.1 and then smoked the third-quarter in :27 before kicking home in :26.1 under no urging for the victory of three lengths. Bettor Sun edged stablemate Jimmy Connor B for second. A son of Shadow Play, Bulldog Hanover is now five for seven this season, nine for 13 overall in his career and has earned $552,811. He is owned by Jack Darling Stables Limited and Brad Grant. Darling has no plans to change any routines for Bulldog Hanover heading into next Saturday’s ‘Cup’ eliminations. “For him it’ll be just the same as he’s had. We just have to keep him happy and sound and just train lightly midweek. Nothing fancy, it’s all up to him now.” Bulldog Hanover paid $2.40 to win. Whichwaytothebeach showed plenty of fight to score the victory in the $86,250 first division. The Brett Pelling trainee came first-up from third on the final turn for driver Sylvain Filion and kept fighting in the lane to secure the lead and stop the clock in a career-best 1:49.2. Desperate Man was in full flight late to finishing second by half a length. “I was told that he likes to chase horses,” said Filion post-race. “I was happy to get in the three-hole and stay there as long as I could and then I had to move him first-up and I just grinded myself to the front and he kept going. He raced really huge.” Stonebridge Rex cut the mile, posting fractions of :26.3, :55.2 and 1:23.1 before surrendering the lead in the lane and finishing fourth. Pirate Hanover finished third. Fittingly, Whichwaytothebeach is a son of Somebeachsomewhere and has now won seven of 10 starts this season and 11 of 18 career starts. The Pelling trainee increases his career earnings to $332,783 for owners Alan Johnston and John Craig. A $2 win ticket on Whichwaytothebeach returned $4.10. Share This:Share
