O'Brien Award winner Lady Shadow was victorious in her first start for new connections in the $30,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace featured on Friday night's harness racing card at Mohawk Racetrack.
Lady Shadow ($4.90), the the slight 7-5 favourite, prevailed in a photo finish over second choice Waasmula to win her debut from the Ron Adams stable in rein to Doug McNair, who has been the four-year-old mare's main driver for most of her career. Her new owners include David Kryway, Carl Atley, Edwin Gold, and Richard Lombardo.
After Marlee B (Sylvain Filion) crossed over to command from the outside post off the gate, inside assignee Waasmula (Trevor Henry) swept around that rival at the :26.2 quarter pole and then led the single-file field of six to the half in :55.2. At that point, McNair sent Lady Shadow first over from fifth while trailer Bet Ya (Jack Moiseyev) tracked her cover through three-quarters in 1:23.3. Waasmula maintained the lead into the stretch and was urged home by Henry, but Lady Shadow managed to collar her in the shadow of the wire for the 1:51 triumph. Waasmula settled for second-place a quarter-length behind with Marlee B following two lengths back in third.
Lady Shadow earned the first win of her aged campaign in three starts and pushed her career bankroll over $500,000. The Shadow Play-Lady Camella mare has won half of her 24 lifetime starts, including the SBOA Stakes, two Ontario Sires Stakes Gold events and the Cinderella Stakes during her award-winning sophomore season.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.