| Last updated at 12:46 AM on 10/08/09 |
Shadow Play shocks Hambletonian crowd 
Pacer, trained and co-owned by Islander, upsets Mister Big in U.S. Pacing Championship race
DOUG HARKNESS
Transcontinental Media
Shadow Play shocked the crowd of 25,000 attending the Hambletonian race card at The Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon, beating Mister Big and a group of the world’s top aged pacers in the $328,750 U.S. Pacing Championship.
The mile was in 1:47.4, a new personal best for the four-year-old stallion trained by Dr. Ian Moore of Winsloe, who co-owns the horse with RG?McGroup Ltd. of Bathurst, N.B., Serge Savard of Saint-Bruno, Que., and Blue Chip Bloodstock of Wallkill, N.Y.
Shadow Play, who has been troubled with foot problems, came up with a powerful performance, streaking to the front for driver David Miller in the opening quarter of 27 seconds before yielding to Bettor Sweet before the 54-second opening half.
Miller angled Shadow Play off the pylons to follow the favoured Mister Big at the 1:21.2 third station and paced away from his rivals in the lane, winning by two lengths.
Mister Big valiantly tried to rally, but it was too little too late. He finished second ahead of Won The West (Jim Morrill).
The victory pushed Shadow Play’s earnings past the $1.5-million mark career wise and was his first major victory of his four-year-old season.
Shadow Play paid $30.00 on the nose.
That really thrilled the cheering crowd at the simulcast theatre at the Charlottetown Driving Park Entertainment Centre where Lee Drake, director of public relations, said the track did a $50,000 day of business.
Moore was ecstatic over the Saturday victory.
“We were a bit concerned about a slight hoof separation, but it didn’t seem to bother him, although his foot was bleeding after the race,” Moore said in a telephone interview Sunday night.
“I?don’t think the foot will be a problem and that he will just get better.”
He said Shadow Play’s next race will be the Breeders Crown for aged pacing horses.
With Saturday’s victory, Shadow Play became the fastest son of The Panderosa with his 1:47.4 mile.
Among those in attendance were officials from Blue Chip farms, where Shadow Play is scheduled to stand stud next year.
Tom Grossman of Blue Chip Bloodstock was gracious in victory over two-time defending champion Mister Big.
“I don’t think Shadow Play has put it all together yet. It’s an honour to beat a champion like Mister Big.”
Sunday night at Flamboro Downs, Moore sent out another winner with two-year-old Wellthereyougo winning his division of the Ontario Sires?Stakes gold elimination in 1:55.1 for Randy Waples, who got out of a sick bed to drive the Camluck colt.
Wellthereyougo’s win on Sunday night put his rookie earnings over the $200,000 mark.
(Atlantic Post Calls)
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