The USTA website poll for this week asks if Somebeachsomewhere and Deweycheatumnhowe are the best combo of three-year-old pacer and trotter ever at this point in the season. Right now it is about 3-1 in favor. Needless to say, I voted no. But....


.... The Hambletonian used to be raced much later, when at Du Quoin and Goshen and Syracuse, so what they are asking is: At this point in the season are Deweycheatumnhowe and Somebeachsomewhere the best combination of 3-year-old trotter and 3-year-old pacer to ever race in the same season in the Meadowlands Hambletonian Era? We cannot consider any other Triple Crown races, because they are held later in the year. And are we to disregard the NA Cup winner?

Now I know many of you are shocked that I would note this PR scam. After all, it's the kind of thing I get paid to do, right? But. seriously, let;s take a look. In 99, Blissful Hall won the Triple Crown and Self Possessed took the Hanbo and KY Futurity. But The Panderosa won the M1 Pace. So maybe not that year.

And the last true champion to win the M1 Pace was Gallo Blue Chip in 2o00. That was the year that a good, but not great Yankee Paco was the Hambo champ.

I would match 1993 Hambo Champ American Winner with Dewey on August 10 and M1 Pace winner Presidential Ball with Somebeach. PB did not end his season as well (against one of the greatest crops of 3 year olds ever, imo) but at this point in time, an arguemnt can be made. Keep in mind AW had to win twice in one day to wear the Hambo crown. And so did Duenna.

Duenna won the M1 Trot, err, Hambletonian in 1983. The great Stan Dancer filly beat the boys that year, and the Pace went to Ralph Hanover. Now, I was never a big fan of this horse, but he came back to win the Jug so I would argue that he was pretty damn good.

Dewey and Somebeach are not yet great horses. But, they are very, very good. Talk to me after the Triple Crown and the Breeders Crown. Then we can talk about greatness or bestness or whatever the word is.

Talk to you soon!