Trot Insider has learned that Hall of Fame driver Paul MacDonell has made the decision to step down as the driver of sophomore pacing colt Beach Glass heading into Saturday's 2022 Pepsi North America Cup eliminations.
MacDonell, who will be inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame this August, told Trot Insider of the decision on Tuesday (June 7) morning before the horse was entered in the Cup elims. He stressed that the decision was mutual with the connections, and one he was comfortable with given that he wasn't planning to drive Beach Glass in any of his U.S. stakes events this year.
A son of Somebeachsomewhere - Im With Her, Beach Glass finished a solid second in his seasonal racing debut on Saturday (June 4) in a division of the Somebeachsomewhere, pacing his own mile in 1:50.3 and charted as a half-length off of winner Magical Arthur. He was making just his sixth career start for owners Schooner II Stable of Nova Scotia.
MacDonell stated that the decision is that much easier because he feels it's one made in the best interest of the horse.
"At the end of the day, it's the right decision. I mean, you know, I'm 59 years old, and turning 60 next year, and competing against people that are half my age. And the body just doesn't work the same as it used to," said the classy reinsman. "It comes back to what's the right thing to do for the horse. And that's what we're doing."
The driver to take MacDonell's spot behind Beach Glass will be another individual set to be formally enshrined into a Hall of Fame this year: U.S. Hall of Famer Yannick Gingras.
"Yannick's the man and I think he'll be a great fit for this horse, I really do."
Entries for the 2022 Pepsi North America Cup eliminations are due on Tuesday (June 7) at 10:30 a.m.
Expectations Maybe Too High
This colt could have benefitted from six or eight starts as a two year old. It looked like his last start off of two qualifiers that he could have benefitted from a start before going into the SomeBeachSomeWhere 3YO Open. He put in a good race, when he took the lead and let the five go, to me this was a good race decision because if he had not let the five go the six would have benefitted even more and we probably would have had the same results. The only difference is that the time would have been faster with the six winning. Smart driving by Paul, Beach Glass will benefit from that race. The NA cup is still a tall task for this colt and he will make a good impression of himself no matter who's driving him. Early Action is going to be tough to beat.
Paul knows what is best and…
Paul knows what is best and he believes that this is whats best for the colts chances in the big stakes races that the colt will be in as a 3 year old . Classy move Paul , you drove this colts daddy Somebeachsomewhere to greatness , you have nothing to prove pal . Yannick will give this colt a shot at winning in every race he is in . Go get em Beach Glass , make your daddy proud , Nova Scotia will be cheering you on .
I respect Paul’s decision,…
I respect Paul’s decision, but I gotta agree with Gord on this one!
Classy move you bet. Just my…
Classy move you bet. Just my opinion the wrong move! Paul's body may not move the same but guaranteed his mind does. Look at Dave Miller, Brian Sears and Dave Palone probably drive a horse better now than ever.
In reply to Classy move you bet. Just my… by Gord Brown
Paul is a Gentleman.
Yannick Gingras is the best and I believe this was a brilliant choice..