“She was a touch aggressive the other night; she was a lot more aggressive this winter than as a two-year-old. The biggest challenge is keeping her quiet.”
Saturday’s Canadian Breeders Championship eliminations for three-year-old pacing fillies were bested by Lady Shadow ’s performance. The Gregg McNair trainee left hard for the front and wired the field with Rick Zeron at the lines, pacing a stunning 1:49.2 lifetime best mile.
Pleased with the evening’s performance, McNair believes Lady Shadow has a bright future.
“She’s a good mare, the time did surprise me a little bit, but she’s a consistent mare. She’s been a decent mare all along.”
Setting a new lifetime mark, the filly now holds claim to another title; with her victory, Lady Shadow established herself as Shadow Play’s fastest offspring to date.
“She’s eligible to other races besides Sires Stakes this year, so I have high hopes that she stays sound and healthy. I hope she can race consistently the rest of the year.”
Next year, Shadow Play's first crop will turn four years old, including McNair’s three-year-old phenom. Exiting Sires Stakes action, the competition becomes much tougher.
“It’s hard to say what they’ll do as aged mares. Time-wise, she has lots of speed.”
The track record for three-year-old pacing fillies at Mohawk is 1:48.2, something possibly in the grasp of the latest speedster. Though it requires dropping a second from her latest performance, she has shown the athleticism to pace faster each week.
“We’re not worried about a track record, but she’s got incredible speed. It depends on many factors, like the night and who you’re in with.”
McNair admits that horse racing can be a little funny at times, with big miles one week and less so the next. With Zeron back in the bike for the Championship final, he is confident in her performance.
“Rick has driven her before, so he has a good understanding of her. I don’t think there’s much to know about that he isn’t aware of by now.”
Leaving from post position four in the final, with fellow elimination winners Sudoku and My Secret Belle sitting in the two and three, Lady Shadow will face the best the Canadian Breeders Championship has to offer. Showing speed unseen in the other eliminations, both pacing in 1:51.1, she is a likely favourite.
Lady Shadow’s career earnings were boosted to more than $320,000 for owners Lindsey and Connie Rankin last Saturday and she will be looking to increase her bankroll in this Saturday’s final.
“Shadow Play has produced nice horses. Lady Shadow has the chance to be one of the best.”
$122,343 Canadian Breeders Championship Filly Pace Final
1. Performing Art – Billy Davis Jr.
2. Sudoku – Jody Jamieson
3. My Secret Belle – Joe Hudon Jr.
4. Lady Shadow – Rick Zeron
5. Badlyinclined – Jack Moiseyev
6. Justabit Mean – Jonathan Drury
7. Brookedale Shadow – Chris Christoforou
8. Brescia Seelster – Sylvain Filion
9. Nefertiti Bluechip – Jody Jamieson
10. Artful Impulse – Steve Condren
AE1. Mea Lilley Mark – Mike Saftic
(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Hannah Beckett)