Shadow Play, who battled through a widely publicized foot issue in his 2008 campaign, kicked off his 2009 season on the right foot thanks to
an impressive victory in a $35,000 Open for four-year-olds at Mohawk Racetrack on Sunday evening.
The son of The Panderosa, who was paired up with O’Brien Award winner Paul MacDonell, shot to the front and held his rivals at bay in an eye-catching clocking of 1:51.1 for trainer Dr. Ian Moore.
MacDonell hustled Shadow Play to the lead from post five, and the career winner of $1.2 million proceeded to lead the field through fractions of :26.4, :55 and 1:24 before feeling any type of pressure. He used a :27.1 final frame to out duel a fast-closing Real Celebration in the closing strides. Shadow Play held on to win by half a length over Real Celebration. Anderlecht was third.
“It was either a qualifier or a race,” said Dr. Ian Moore. “He’s been training alone all winter and I think he was getting a little bored of that. I felt he was ready to go because he’s had lots of miles in him back home. Paul did a wonderful job of driving him; he got the middle half backed down. It was a really good start for him.
“It feels like I’m on the East Coast right now; It is pretty cold and windy here tonight,” he added. “I’m looking forward to the summer with him. I’m glad he started out well, and his next race will be the Molson Pace in London.”
Moore co-owns the 18-time winner with R G McGroup Ltd. (Ron and Gail McLellan), Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. and Serge Savard.
To view Sunday’s results, click here.