A Hero's Welcome Expected
Dr. Ian Moore, co-owning trainer of Shadow Play, is prepping his star student for a tour of the Charlottetown Driving Park this Saturday. He has also made some interesting comments in regard to the colt's breeding deal, four-year-old campaign, and about Somebeachsomewhere.
It is expected that Shadow Play, a black colt by The Panderosa, will receive a hero's welcome when he takes a trip around the CDP oval prior to the feature race Saturday.
When asked by The Guardian whether Shadow Play will contest the Gold Cup & Saucer in '09, Dr .Moore said that it will depend on what shape the colt is in at the time. According to the report, the $60,000 Gold Cup & Saucer and the $850,000 Canadian Pacing Derby are scheduled for the same weekend. “If he’s able to withstand the rigors of racing against the open class horses next year in North America and compete with them we may have to stay up there (WEG circuit), but if he’s not quite good enough then he could certainly end up (racing at the CDPEC) and even sometime down the road,’’ he said.
When asked about the reason to agree to a deal with breeder Blue Chip Farm, Dr. Moore said that the ownership group had many reasons. “We looked at about seven or eight deals altogether and the Blue Chip deal was the best for us for several reasons. They’re one of the top three breeders in the world. They’ve got a beautiful farm there; 700 acres in upstate New York; and it also gave us the opportunity to race the horse again next year, which was very interesting because it does seem a little early to retire one."
Dr. Moore was quoted as saying in the article that Shadow Play was not 100 per cent in his Breeders Crown loss to Somebeachsomewhere, and that if his colt was at the top of his game he may have defeated 'The Beach.'
“I was a bit disappointed that his foot was hurting again, but he still put in a great race and we got beat by a good horse. Under the right circumstances, we may have been able to get the job done."
To read The Guardian article in its entirety, click here.
(With files from The Guardian)
With all due respect to
With all due respect to Shadow Play, he is a great horse but the Beach just has that little something spectacular about him and I think even if Shadow Play was 100% I still don't think he could have beaten the Beach. But both are great assets to the world of harness racing and GOOD LUCK to Shadow Play next year.
There is a difference
There is a difference between a good horse and a great horse... and in this pair Beach is the great horse and Shadow Play is the good horse... yes Shadow is a nice horse but Beach is an amazing horse.
In reply to There is a difference by Anonymous (not verified)
Shadow Play is a wonderful
Shadow Play is a wonderful horse and has acheived a lot this season, but in five attempts has not been able to defeat SBSW, therefore it is pointless to say "if he was right, we may have got the job done."
The big question now is who will win the Canadian Pacing Derby, it looks likely to be one of the most anticipated races of 2009.
People probably said the
People probably said the same type of comments (not in the same league etc.) about Art Official before the Meadowlands pace. Not making excuses for Shadow Play but anyone with half an eye could see that going down the back stretch on Saturday he was not 100%. You could tell he was hurting a bit. Also if people new the severity of an injury like Shadow Play had during the jug and after, they would know how big a heart this horse has.
All that being said you can definitely not take anything away from SBSW's career. On top of his great speed and stamina, he was tremendously healthy throughout his whole career. In harness racing that is pretty amazing.
We all know Shadow Play
We all know Shadow Play is/was a great horse for 2008, but only Brent Mcgrath talked the talk, and his horse walked the walk. Sure, any horse could have beaten SBSW in any of the races this year, but we all know only one did. How many of them are still racing in Dec?
Wonderful to have another
Wonderful to have another year of racing to look forward to for Shadow Play. Too bad more of the best don't (can't ($)) stick around to race at 4 or 5. If we ever end up limiting the number of foals that a stallion is allowed to sire, we should increase the limit for the studs that race longer.....
From what I saw on
From what I saw on Saturday,there was no way Shadow Play was going to beat the Beach .Sound or not he is a notch or two below SBSW.He is a real nice horse,but lets not make excuses for getting beat by a better horse.
Shadow Play had the perfect trip,and was no match for SBSW in the lane.Beach was pacing away from Shadow Play at the wire.Brent made the right move and took the bye to the finale. Congratulations Brent,Paul and all involved with the Beach,a great job of managing your horse through his entire career.Hats off to Paul he is a real class act,and someone the hole Horse racing crowd should be proud of,way to go Mac.
In reply to From what I saw on by Anonymous (not verified)
It was a pointless statement
It was a pointless statement to make after a horse had fairly defeated you on five occasions.
The big question now is who will be the best next year, Shadow Play of Art Official?
Shadow Play A GREAT COLT IN
Shadow Play
A GREAT COLT IN HIS OWN WAY
Maybe should be thankfuull THE BEACH did not go to Deleware in September.
Both are wonderful horses
Both are wonderful horses but the Beach has just a little more
shadow play is a very nice
shadow play is a very nice horse the beach is a super horse, sorry not in the same league
If he couldn't beat SBSW off
If he couldn't beat SBSW off of the trips they each got in The Messenger, he'll never beat him !
In reply to If he couldn't beat SBSW off by Anonymous (not verified)
Couldn't agree more and
Couldn't agree more and doctor Moore should thank Brent for not putting him in the jug. Shadow Play is a good horse, great season with lots of highlights, but I think the Beach is the best ever.
In reply to Couldn't agree more and by Anonymous (not verified)
I was watching some old
I was watching some old videos lately and if people are going to compare SBSW with Niatross,you could compare
Shadow Play with Storm Damage,these later two were great horses,but in the company of the former two looked ordinary