Sophomores clash in Somebeachsomewhere splits

A group of 19 three-year-old pacing colts and geldings were split into two divisions of “The Beach.” For many of the sophomores, they were using the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes as a final prep for next week’s Pepsi North America Cup eliminations. 

In the first division, Dudes The Man and Corey Callahan were first to the line in 1:50.2 to win at 6-1 odds.

A son of American Ideal, Dudes The Man was able to get situated in fifth early, while 60-1 shot Penji Hanover cut out an opening-quarter of :26.

Oneisalonelynumber circled around Penji Hanover to take the lead in the second-quarter, but was quickly confronted first up by Maxdaddy Blue Chip.

However, Maxdaddy Blue Chip made a break at the half-mile pole just as Dudes The Man was moved to the outside, which left Callahan and his charge first up around the final turn.

Dudes The Man and Oneisalonelynumber went toe-to-toe around the final turn and posted a three-quarter time of 1:23.

In the stretch, Dudes The Man was filled with pace and quickly separated himself from his rivals en route to a length and three-quarter victory in 1:50.3.

Penji Hanover came back on late to finish second, while Trading Up finished third.

Following the race, trainer Howard Okusko talked about the equipment change he made with Dudes The Man going into the Somebeachsomewhere.

“Paul MacDonell drove him last week and he thought around the last turn he lost a couple lengths, he thought maybe slipping or touching a knee,” said Okusko. “We put a pair of aluminum (shoes) on him, opened him up a little bit and he’s a fast colt he just has to get a little luck.”

Dudes The Man is owned by M and L of Delaware LLC and Victoria Dickinson. The son of American Ideal now has two wins from three starts this season and four victories in his career. The Somebeachsomewhere victory pushes his career bankroll to $89,934.

Dudes The Man, who is eligible to the Pepsi North America Cup, returned $14.30 to win.

In the second division, Rockin In Heaven powered by in the final-eighth to win in 1:50.3 at odds of 11-1.

Driven by Trevor Henry, Rockin In Heaven showed early speed and was able to touch down on the front at the opening-quarter in :26.4.

Henry allowed Go Daddy Go to clear in the second-quarter and was quickly shuffled back to third when Drachan Hanover overtook the lead at the half in :54.1.

After Drachan Hanover reached the three-quarter pole in 1:22.1, Go Daddy Go and Rockin In Heaven edged to the outside to take a shot at the leader in the stretch.

Rockin In Heaven had the most pace in the lane and charged by his rivals to win by a length and a quarter in 1:50.3.

Go Daddy Go finished second, while Drachan Hanover fought to the wire to finish third.

A son of Rock N Roll Heaven, Rockin In Heaven was one of six starters in the Somebeachsomewhere that was not made eligible to the Pepsi North America Cup.

“He finished his season off very well last year as a two-year-old and we staked him kind of heavily,” said trainer Dr. Ian Moore following the race. “He trained down very well this spring until he got near racing speed and he just sort of bottomed out and I took him out of the last payment of the North America Cup and the Meadowlands Pace.”

Rockin In Heaven is owned by Moore, Douglas Polley, Francois Lecomte and Gordan McComb. He now has four wins from five starts this season and seven triumphs in his career.

“I don’t like being proven wrong,” said Moore. “But I guess I’m proven wrong tonight and I’m liking it maybe too.”

Rockin In Heaven now has career earnings of $77,215 and paid $24.30 to win.

Many of the Somebeachsomewhere starters will return next Saturday (June 13) for the eliminations of the Pepsi North America Cup. The $1 million NA Cup final will take place on Saturday, June 20.