Malcolm MacPhail's Fading Shadow ($8.70) took full advantage of a pocket trip en route to a 1:55.2 score in Wednesday's (Aug. 1) featured $8,500 Preferred 3 for distaff pacers at Grand River Raceway.
Scott Coulter used the pole to protect the pocket with Fading Shadow, yielding only to Sing Like An Angel (Travis Cullen) on the first turn. After stalking a :57.3 half, Fading Shadow was boxed up the backstretch by the first-over Katies Gal (Robert Shepherd) and behind a weakening pacesetter, who was under vigorous encouragement through the final five-sixteenths.
While the open stretch was an option for Fading Shadow if necessary, Coulter found room to angle her to the two-path off the home turn, and the pair dug in to strike the front in the final strides. Fading Shadow ultimately bested Sing Like An Angel by half a length, while the three-wide Dazzling Rockette (Ed Hensley) rallied for third.
Paul Walker trains 11-time winner Fading Shadow, who captured her fourth win of the season.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Grand River Raceway.