Sunshine Beach Heads “The Captain” in Brandywine Upset

WILKES-BARRE, PA— In a battle similar to that of the Colonial moments ago, Sunshine Beach had the inside edge on Captaintreacherous and won the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine by a bob in 1:47.4.

Lonewolf Currier gunned for the lead, with Sunshine Beach getting away in second and Mach It So in third. Lonewolf Currier sped to the quarter in :25.3. Sunshine Beach pulled the pocket into the stretch and cleared the lead at three-eighths. Captaintreacherous made his move from fourth and he progressed first over to challenge Sunshine Beach. The two hooked up at the half in :53.3 (:28).

The battle was a gruesome test of speed and endurance entering the backstretch. Sunshine Beach at the cones, Captaintreacherous first over and trying to take the lead. They were on equal terms as they drew away from the field passing three-quarters in 1:20.3 (:27).

Sunshine Beach nosing Captaintreacherous in 1:47.4
(Ken Weingartner Photo)

The distance between the battle and the rest increased at the head of the lane. Speed was the main attribute to the final quarter, as Captaintreacherous got his nose in front, but Sunshine Beach fought back and retook the lead. Captaintreacherous came back with one final lunge, but the wire came just in time for Sunshine Beach to pull off a monumental upset over Captaintreacherous. Twilight Bonfire finished third and Wake Up Peter was fourth.

Sunshine Beach ($12.20) is a three-year-old colt by Somebeachsomewhere, out of the mare Light Up by Artsplace. He is owned by Hudson Standardbred Inc., Conrad Leber and Diane Bertrand, trained by Mark Steacy and Brian Sears picked up the drive, guiding Sunshine Beach to equal the world record set by Bolt The Duer of 1:47.4.