Trained and driven by Ian Moore, Icey Shadow made his career debut a winning one with a track record performance in the third leg of the Prospect Series for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday afternoon (August 15) at Clinton Raceway.
Icey Shadow ($3.90) dominated the $7,200 first division of freshman colts, leading the field that was scratched down to five by seven lengths through opening panels of :29.1 and :57.4. He cruised past three-quarters in 1:27.4 and kicked home a six-length winner in 1:57 flat. Beach Boots, with Tyler Moore aboard for trainer Heather Pickett, took over second-place down the backstretch the final time and was followed by La Playa Deo (J Harris), who finished well back in third.
Icey Shadow's winning time matched the track record for two-year-olds held by colts Thinkofagameplan and Century Grizzly, and filly Sports Flix.
Moore also co-owns the Shadow Play-Icicle Angel colt with R G McGroup Ltd. of Bathurst, N.B., and Serge Savard of St-Bruno, Que.
The second $7,300 division went to Messiah ($6.90), who dropped out of Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots competition to score a maiden-breaking victory with Doug McNair driving for his father, trainer Gregg McNair.
After 9-5 favourite Dont Poke The Bear (Jason Ryan) jumped it off in front of him on the final turn, Messiah rallied past the Tyler Moore-driven pacesetter, Two Drinks Ago (:31, 1:02.3, 1:32.3), to prevail by 2-1/4 lengths in 2:01.2. Shanghai Ky (Natasha Day) finished third.
The homebred Control The Moment-Virgin Mary colt, who kicked off his career with a pair of starts in the Grassroots Series, finished fifth in the July 19 leg at Grand River Raceway. The win was his first in four career starts for owner Howard Taylor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Prospect Series will continue with the fourth leg for freshman male pacers on Saturday, Sept. 4 at Kawartha Downs.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Clinton Raceway.