That's a cool 2.4 million on the table for year end accomplishments and this year's races are just as talent loaded as any other gone by in the history of the OSS program. Some might say more so talented than usual with the presents of Somebeachsomewhere on the card in the 3yr old colt pace.

Think about it? Wouldn't it blow your mind if you had a starter in every division?

What if, say five of them, had a serious shot at winning? How big would your head swell then? Five times it's normal size?

Wouldn't you have that, big old Joker smile, Heath Ledger had painted on his face in the last Batman movie plastered on yours, from ear to ear, for about a week before the races went off?

I know I would and quite likely, most of the people reading this would to.

Let's face it you'd have to be a special sort of guy or gal to be able to handle the pressure and not become unglued. Wouldn't ya? An, ice in your veins type of person you-know. Super Cool !!

The odds of a single owner or trainer coming up with eight starters out of eight divisions has to be at least a million to one but a driver, now that's a different story all together and it just so happens Saturday night the 15th of Nov /2008, we have one driver who has six drives on the Super Finals card and he actually has a better than not chance of winning with five of the six he's down to drive on.

His name is none other than Mr. Super Final himself, Paul MacDonnell. It seems the man was born to compete on this night of racing and this year should be one of his best.

Not only is he driving the fastest 3yr. old pacing colt to ever look through a bridle, Somebeachsomewhere p,3,1:46/4, $2,928,755.00 in the 7th race. The rest of his mounts on the card are either just peaking or are already mega winners, like the Richard Norman trained 3yr. old trotting filly Bella Dolce 3,1:54/2 $753,133.00 or the John Bax trained 3yr. old colt trotter Define The World, 3,1:53/3$589,221.

All three of these 3yr olds have competed in Grand Circuit action this year. The Beach, is a lock to win and the other two are bang on contenders in their divisions.

On the 2yr old side of the action Big Mac get's the call to drive from long time associate Paula Wellwood. Her better half, trainer, Mike Keeling, is sending out the fast Angus Hall filly, Elusive Desire, 2,1:57/4 $245,904.00 winner, for partners P.C Wellwood, Charles Armstrong and Robert Fasken.

The superbly gaited trotter has hit the board 12 out of 13 starts this year and right now comes into the race on a two race win streak. Paul was on board for both victories so it's not like he doesn't know the young miss. I can easily see her extending the win streak to three races from post #5 in the bulky field of ten.

In the 2yr old colt trot Mr. MacDonnell once again hooks up with the Wellwood clan, not only to drive but share ownership as well with Wellwood Stables Inc. of Cambridge.

Paula herself is listed as trainer on the $112,114.00 winner, Point Of Honour. The brown Striking Sahbra son has been on the board 6 out of 10 races this year, but has yet to hit the winners circle. What better night to do so than when your going for $300,000.00 bucks eh!!

MacDonnell's other mount comes in the form of a 2yr old pacing filly by the name of, Fashion Week. The bay daughter of Western Terror is owned by Bulletproof Enterprises of Boca Raton FL. USA.

The $90,000.00 winner has 4 out of 10 races on the board and a mark of 1:56/4 but has to knock heads with the top graded filly, St Lads Popcorn. Who has been flawless all year long and has over $400,000.00 bucks in the bank and a mark of 1:52/2 to her credit and I don't think "Dragon Slayer" fits after Fashion Week's name, so we'll just end it there.

Long story short, I'm taking a fifty dollar bill and playing a win parley on Mr. MacDonnell. I'm skipping him in the 5th race but I'll be rolling the dice on the rest of his night's work.

Getty Up!!!

Robert Leatham