The Dark Shadow pulled a major upset in the $37,500 championship leg of Miami Valley’s Claim To Fame series for pacing males with a $30,000 claiming tag on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 26).

Driver Sam Widger, perhaps buoyed by winning the $20,000 Claim To Fame division with Pet Shark as a longshot from an outside post position on Saturday, launched The Dark Shadow from the 8-hole behind the Woebkenberg starting gate. After reaching the quarter on top in :26.1, the six-year-old Shadow Play gelding continued to keep the pedal to the metal, tripping the middle stations in :54.2 and 1:22.2. Facing pressure from eventual runner-up Street Boy throughout the final panel and then show finisher Southern Flight up the inside in the lane, The Dark Shadow held off both challengers to score in 1:52.1 and take the lion’s share of the meet’s largest purse to date.

The winner, dispatched at 15-1 odds, paid $32.60. Coupled with Street Boy the exacta returned $239.60; while the 50-cent trifecta with Southern Flight kicked back $308.75.

Owner-trainer Adam Short collared The Dark Shadow via the claim box for $30,000 from the first leg of the series. His wise investment has already returned $32,500 by winning the second leg and final. With his 16th win from 81 starts, The Dark Shadow surpassed the quarter million dollar earnings plateau.

There will be racing programs on Monday and Tuesday afternoons at Miami Valley Raceway followed by evening cards on Friday and Saturday. There will be no racing on Sunday, Feb. 2 in deference to the Super Bowl.

(Miami Valley Raceway)