But as we all know, when your racing for 300,000 bucks and year end honours, you roll with the punches and do what you have to do to get the job done.

Last night it seemed the only way to win a race was up front, right on the cooker. If a driver, didn't take the bull by the horns and head straight to the front end, you simply didn't win. Seven of the eight Super Final races saw a front ended horse, drive off with the lions share of the purse money. Woodbines, front end, speed bias reputation held true for the entire program.

As a matter of fact the only horse that didn't cut it's entire mile was the talented 2yr old trotting colt, Point Of Honour. The handsome, brown son of Striking Sahbra, is trained and owned by seasoned veterans Paul MacDonnell and Wellwood Enterprises and will undoubtedly be given the chance to shine by these professional connections next year. I believe, this is one individual, that is still learning how to race and by the looks of him tonight, he could be a real show stealer next year.

With Point Of Honour and Elusive Desire team Wellwood and MacDonnell look as if they already have a return ticket in place for next years Super Finals.

You-know my old friend (Doc) Dr. Martin, god rest his sole, used to say to me when I was kid, "Bobby boy, anybody can pick a winner, the real trick is knowing how to bet it." No truer words of wisdom have ever been spoken or fallen on my ear drums the entire 45 years I've been going to the track.

Sometimes you just have to come up with a plan, make a commitment to yourself and stick to it. Don't look at the odds board, don't listen to the touts, just do what your gut tells ya and if you loose, so what, you at least did it your way didn't ya?. The worst thing you can do is second guess yourself when it comes to placing a bet. It will haunt ya, till the day you die. I should'a, would'a, could'a doesn't buy many T-Bone stakes.

Yesterday I decided long before the races started, Mr. Super Final himself, Paul MacDonnell, was going to have a spectacular night of racing and so was I and you know what? I didn't need a program at all. By the time the 4th race was over, I was up $265. bucks and still had my original $50.00 from my win parley in my pocket. Sweet eh !!! You just got to love it when a plan starts to come together and the plan was to bet $50. to win on all of MacDonnell's drives except for, Fashion Week, in the 5th.

I thought Big Mac could have won with five of the six drives he had on the program but Bella Dolce cost me $50. when she rolled off stride, challenging the leader going to the three quarters.

No biggie. I new all was not a wash yet, the night was still young, I could recoup. We still had one more kick at the can by the name of Define The World. and oh ya, I forgot to mention the $2.50 cent profit I made off of Somebeachsomewhere in the 7th race. Boy my hands shook as the teller handed me back that wad of cash, all $52.50 of it. None the less every little bit counts in a win parley situation.

Define The World didn't disappoint, racing tooth and nail tough down the lane to garner the victory for trainer, owner, John Bax. While I recouped another $17.50 to the good for his efforts.

So by the time I added the Beaches $2.50 and the $17.50 together, it was another 20 bucks back in the old pants pocket for safe keeping. So, Bella Dolce only cost me $30. Take that out of the $265.00 and it still left me up a cool $235.00 bucks for my nights entertainment.

So what's the moral of the story, sports fans? STICK WITH THE PLAN. Bet with in your limits and have some fun, when you go to the races no matter what continent you live on and remember one important thing. It's pretty hard to get rich at the track if not impossible.

On another note, I'd like to take the time and say once and for all, Somebeachsomewhere is the best pacing horse to ever look through a bridle. Seriously. His performance last night was plain and simple "Scary Good."

The horse was as fresh at the end of the mile, as he was at the start and if there would have been a little more favorable weather conditions, I'm quite sure a world record could have been achieved.

This animal is the epitome of the Standardbred world. He is flawless. His fast turn of speed has never been witnessed by any horseman before simply because there hasn't been one of him created before. His heart muscle must out weigh a normal horse heart by 7 kilos at least. His presents on the track during a race emulates shear piston power and smooth running agility. His body language reads, all power, with every lengthening stride he takes surging towards the finish line.

Ken Middleton referred to him as "Super Freaky" coming down the lane, I prefer the one word superlative myself. "Phenom."

Should he get, horse of the year in North America? Absolutely.

Will he win his breeder's crown event next week? Guaranteed.

Dose he have the respect of the American Breeders? We'll know shortly.

Has it been a joy watching him perform all season long? Dam Straight it has.

Will he be missed? You want to believe it!!

Robert Leatham.