Pebble Beach skips to impressive score

Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms

MILTON, October 29, 2022 – Pebble Beach shored up his rock-solid resume with another classic Canadian performance, this time in the $911,250 Breeders Crown (presented by the Libfeld/Katz Breeding Partnership) for three-year-old pacing colts & geldings.

He didn’t go off as the post-time choice, but the son of Downbytheseaside-Santa Rosa was on top when it mattered most, trouncing his nine rivals to the tune of a brilliant 3 ½-length score on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

And with the win, the bay made it a perfect five-for-five in Canada.

Ponda Warrior, leaving from post eight, crossed over to take the early lead with longshot Greatest Ending also getting away smartly and tucking into second. Todd McCarthy slotted 7-5 Pebble Beach into third with Captain Cowboy in fourth.

Pebble Beach, who took the $1 million Pepsi North America Cup in June, was guided to the front after a quarter in :25.4 and assumed a 1 ½-length lead at the half in :54.1. Bythemissal, at even money, and riding a five-race win streak, was eighth and had his work cut out for him as the field approached the three-quarters mark.

Reaching three-quarters in 1:21.2, McCarthy and Pebble Beach looked large and in charge in early stretch, gliding away from their foes with ease down the lane, stopping the teletimer in 1:48.1. I Did It Myway was second, Bythemissal rallied for third and Greatest Ending was fourth.

Pebble Beach paid $4.90 for the win.

“He does very well up here, he feels happy when I sit behind him, and he shows it when he races as well,” said McCarthy. “He was certainly very impressive tonight.”

A shoeing change proved to be the perfect fit.

“They’re usually better if they have the aluminums on and the last time he raced in Lexington, I raced him with no shoes and he won,” offered trainer Noel Daley. “He was no more impressive than he’d been, but last week was the most impressive he’s been. Just looking for that extra edge, I put the four aluminums on him rather than just the two.”

Joe Sbrocco was equally pleased with the outcome for more than one reason.

“Noel and Todd just know this horse and they do such a great job for us,” he started. “And the other part is the same ownership put the horse in second, I Did It Myway, and I’m a breeder on that one too, so it was so thrilling to have that.”

With the victory, Pebble Beach, owned by Patricia Stable, Joe Sbrocco, Country Club Acres and Laexpressfoderadeovolente, is now 8-6-1 from 15 starts on the season.

Overall, the colt, bred by Brittany Farms, is 15-8-3 from 26 engagements.

Known as “Bam Bam” in the barn, Pebble Beach was purchased for $85,000 at the 2020 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. His second dam is Hall of Fame broodmare Arts Vintage, who produced millionaires Vintage Master and Great Vintage.