Harness: Beach Glass to stud after 2023, stallion career to be managed by Jablonsky

Schooner II Stable announced on Saturday that the stallion career of their star pacer Beach Glass p, 3, 1:47 2/5, $1,110,544 will be managed by former Hanover Shoe Farms Executive Vice President and now private standardbred consultant Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky.

Beach Glass is from the last crop of the legendary sire of sires Somebeachsomewhere and the first foal out of the Bettor's Delight dam Im With Her; she a daughter of the prolific Hall Of Fame broodmare Hattie. Among Hattie's notable performers are Meadowlands Pace winner Holborn Hanover p, 1:46 4/5, $2,164,802, Hyperion Hanover p, 1:49 1/5, $1,274,713, and Hillbilly Hanover p, 1:49 3/5. $983,677.

By design, Beach Glass raced a limited number of times at the age of 2. He captured his first three lifetime starts in scintillating fashion, including a nine length victory at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:51 1/5 in just his third lifetime start. His fourth lifetime start was a half-length loss in his Breeders Crown elimination at the Meadowlands, followed by his last start of the year, an eventful journey in the driving rain that resulted in a mere four length loss in the Breeders Crown final for this courageous colt.

Beach Glass was ready to rock at the age of three, and he quickly showed the harness racing world what a special animal he is. A win in his North America Cup elimination was followed by a second-place finish in the final in only his eighth lifetime start. Beach Glass was then shipped south of the border to the Meadowlands, now united with driver Yannick Gingras, and the dominance began. Beach Glass crushed his competition in the Meadowlands Pace elimination and final; the final an uber-impressive 1:47 2/5 tally with a 25 4/5 kicker despite being parked to the half-mile marker. Capturing The Meadowlands Pace was redemption for both his owners and his sire, as the Meadowlands Pace is the only race that eluded that great pacer in his phenomenal racing career.

A win in his Adios elimination and a close second in the final was followed by a three-race win streak comprised of crushing victories in the Cane, Hempt and Simcoe. A loss in the Bluegrass Stakes at The Red Mile as the heavy favorite prompted an endoscopic exam that revealed an entrapped epiglottis. After two surgeries and 42 days off, Beach Glass was asked to deliver in a big way and that he did. After a sparkling qualifier at Woodbine Mohawk Park on November 11th in 1:50 flat, the next stop was Dover Downs, which resulted in resounding victories in both his Progress Pace elimination and final, the latter in a sparkling 1:48 4/5.

Beach Glass will race in 2023 at the age of four before retiring to stallion duty. The farm at which Beach Glass will stand is yet to be decided. Beach Glass will be the last son of the great Somebeachsomewhere to enter stud where he is certain to follow in the footsteps of his tremendously successful "brothers" Captaintreacherous, Downbytheseaside, Stay Hungry and Huntsville.

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When asked about the decision to retain Dr. Jablonsky, Schooner II had this to say, "To say that we (Schooner II Stables) are thrilled to have Bridgette join our team and manage Beach Glass's breeding career would be an understatement. We were extremely lucky to have Bridgette's guidance and expertise throughout Somebeachsomewhere's life as a stallion," the group said. "Her industry-leading knowledge of the sport and the horses is an invaluable asset to our team. Her care and passion for the animals is equally as important as her expertise.

"It became clear to us that during Beach's life she loved him as dearly as we did. The delicate balance of compassion for equine well-being, and the demanding expectations of athletic performance fit perfectly with our approach and philosophy. Bridgette sets a benchmark for our industry, and we could not be more fortunate to have her on our team."

Dr Jablonsky is equally as enthused. "What an honor this is. Just to think that after the devastation of losing Beach at the young age of 13, I am getting the privilege of managing the stud career of his last son to enter the stud. The ultimate icing on the cake is that Beach Glass was foaled and raised at Hanover," she said. "Somebeachsomewhere was the greatest sire that ever lived; he proved that with only nine full crops, and he would have solidified that had he lived to a proper age.

"His owners - Brent and Rhonda, Garry, Jamie, Stu, Pam and Reg - were absolute delights to work with through the best of times and the worst of times. I am so looking forward to watching Beach Glass race this year and then guiding him through his second career."

--edited press release--