This afternoon, Trot Insider spoke with Dr. Ian Moore, as he readies his speedy The Panderosa colt Shadow Play for Thursday's Little Brown Jug at the Delaware Ohio County Fairgrounds.

Shadow Play, who captured the 2008 Delvin Miller Adios in straight heats in early August, went on to contest the Confederation Cup on August 17. The career winner of $370,804 equaled a then-Canadian Record (1:50.2) in a Confederation Cup elimination, but found no luck in the final, finishing fifth, pacing in 1:51.

Shadow Play - Confederation Cup Elim Win

Shadow Play hasn't raced since an August 30 overnight at Mohawk Racetrack. The 12-time career winner was upended that night after being first up most of the mile. The black colt finished second, beaten a mere nose in 1:50.3.

"I hope I have made the right decision to race him just the one time [since the Confederation Cup]," Dr. Moore told Trot Insider. "I'm hoping to stretch his season out to the Breeders Crown in late November."

Shadow Play has drawn Post 4 in the Jug's six-horse first heat -- one of three for the 20 horses entered to contest the sacred stakes event. David Miller will be doing the driving and the duo has been pegged as the 5-2 second choice in the morning line odds. Badlands Nitro and pilot Brian Sears have been installed as the 7-5 early favourite from Post 3.

"He's shown that he's good on a half [half-mile track] and he's in good shape heading in," Dr. Moore explained. "I went miles with him over Flamboro last Friday morning before qualifiers. Given the current wet weather in Southern Ontario, the track was in pretty good shape, but it was off just a bit. The last trip I went with him in 1:54 with a 55-second back half.

"I jogged him yesterday and I could hardly hang on to him."

Dr. Moore said that David Miller gets along well with the horse and that they are both looking forward to Thursday.

"David and I have kept in contact regularly through this horse and we've forged a good relationship. Shadow Play is quite able over a half and we're both looking forward to Thursday."

(file photo)