Hoosier: Downbytheseaside speeds to new mark in Monument Circle

Driver Chris Page noted that trainer Brian Brown said "race him!" about Downbytheseaside in Saturday night's $245,000 Monument Circle for 3-year-old pacing colts at Hoosier Park, and he did just that, moving him to the lead in a 53 1/5 half and going on to a 1:48 3/5 career-best clocking.

Downbytheseaside, who led into the stretch of last Saturday's Breeders Crown final but was picked off late by Beckhams Z Tam, settled in third at the 26 2/5 opening quarter that was rung up by Miso Fast (Matt Kakaley). Page brought Downbytheseaside to the outside past that marker, but he couldn't clear Miso Fast until after the 53 1/5 half went on the board. The pace stayed hot in the third quarter, with Downbytheseaside reaching three-quarters in 1:20 2/5 and opening up a couple lengths on the field.

Downbytheseaside stretched out the margin to three lengths with an eighth of a mile to go, and although he slowed up late, he remained in front, winning by three-parts of a length over Little Brown Jug champion Filibuster Hanover (David Miller). Rock N Tony (Trace Tetrick) was third, Eddard Hanover (Doug McNair) came in fourth, and Beckhams Z Tam (Ricky Macomber Jr.) took fifth on this night.

"It was a little bit faster fractions than I anticipated, but he's just a good horse and he overcame it," said Page. "I've watched the horse race and been around him a little bit, and with an open bridle he kind of waits for them just a little bit. I just wanted to keep his attention and keep his mind on task, and boy he stepped up and raced good.

"He's just raw speed and raw talent. If you see the horse he's like a picture of your ideal Standardbred. He just looks awesome. He can do it on or off-the-pace, and he can set up some fast fractions and still get home."

The winner is a Somebeachsomewhere colt trained by Brown for owners Country Club Acres Inc., Joe Sbrocco, Richard Lombardo, and Diamond Creek Racing. This was Downbytheseaside's 19th victory in his 32nd try, and he has now banked $1,903,028. Dispatched as the 8-5 favorite, Downbytheseaside paid $5.40 to win.

Brown said that Downbytheseaside will now head to Dover Downs for both the Progress Pace and the Matron.