The co-winningest horse in 2021 and 2022, Winning Shadow picked up right where he left off, winning his 2023 debut in style with a 2-1/4 length victory on Sunday (Feb. 19) at MGM Northfield Park in the $18,500 Open Trot.
Following a disappointing fourth-place finish on Oct. 18, his connections decided it was time for a break, turning out their champion and giving him a chance to get back into form.
His route to victory wasn’t easy as several left to his inside, including Eye Ofa Tiger As and Alan. Winning Shadow, while paying the price to be on the lead, muscled his way to the front in :27.3. From that point forward, the race was just about over. Driver Chris Lems worked out a second-quarter breather of :29.4 with Windsong Patriot in hot pursuit only 1-1/2 lengths off the lead.
Heading to three-quarters in 1:26, Winning Shadow opened a two-length lead with a host of pursuers chasing, battling for minor spoils. Driving confidently through the stretch, Winning Shadow clearly never lost a step as he was never asked by Lems, winning by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:55.
“He’s just an amazing animal; I am thrilled with how he returned tonight, and look forward to what he will do throughout the rest of the year,” said Lems. “He’s just a good boy.”
Mission Accepted rallied to be second, while Killer Instinct closed four-wide to finish third.
With the victory, Winning Shadow has now earned $804,801 in 145 starts, winning 57 of them.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday evening (Feb. 21) at 6 p.m. (EST). MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
(Northfield Park)