Woodbine Harness: Downbytheseaside turns the tables on Huntsville in Governor's Cup

Huntsville had gotten the better of Downbytheseaside in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship and in the Breeders Crown, but Downbytheseaside got a measure of revenge in Saturday night's C$520,000 Governor's Cup for 2-year-old colt pacers at Woodbine Racetrack, turning away Huntsville's bid in the lane and going on to a 1:51 1/5 decision.

Air Strike (Corey Callahan) zoomed to the lead from post nine early, and he was in front at the opening quarter, which went on the board in 27 2/5. Huntsville (Tim Tetrick) then came with a rush out of fourth and easily cleared, but Downbytheseaside (David Miller) was hot on Huntsville's heels, and Downbytheseaside paced into first past the 55 2/5 half.

Downbytheseaside went on to click off three-quarters in 1:23 and brought the top two contenders into the lane, with Huntsville angling from the pocket early in the stretch drive. Huntsville was called on for his best by Tetrick, but it was clear by the eighth pole that this was Downbytheseaside's night to shine, as he kicked away from Huntsville and went on to score by 3 1/4 lengths. Filibuster Hanover (Yannick Gingras), Bettors Dream (Scott Zeron), and Air Strike completed the top-five finishers.

"(Winning trainer) Brian Brown and I talked about the race, and we were hoping they would kind of line up like it did in the Breeders Crown," offered Miller. "I told him 'don't be surprised, there'll probably be some from the outside leaving.' He made an equipment change on him to an open bridle. He was a bit bully before, but he was a little quieter, and when the gate folded, he let me do what I wanted to do. I was just kind of waiting to see what Tetrick did, and when he moved, I thought I better go with him. My horse got to the front, and he swells up when he's on the lead. He was very strong. I never pulled his plugs, and he paced right through the wire good."

The victorious Somebeachsomewhere colt, who posted world record performances at The Red Mile and the Delaware County (Ohio) Fair this season, is trained by Brown for owners Country Club Acres Inc., Joe Sbrocco, and Richard Lombardo. Plucked out of the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale for $65,000, Downbytheseaside, who has eight victories from 13 starts and earnings of C$644,706, is the fourth foal out of the Allamerican Native mare Sprig Hanover ($438,458), a half-sister to Steelhead Hanover (Bettor's Delight, C$575,730) and Spender Hanover (Cam's Card Shark, C$369,958). Blue Chip Farms LLC., Janet Seltzer, Jeffrey Rabinowitz, and Jordan Farkas bred Downbytheseaside, who returned $6.70 to win as the 2-1 second favorite.