Since arriving in the Ron Burke stable in early July, Backstreet Shadow has been on an absolute tear. The four-year-old Shadow Play gelding ran his winning streak to five with a measured 1:49.1 victory in Sunday afternoon's (Aug. 25) $30,000 Great Northeast Open Series pacing event at Harrah's Philadelphia, which was also his first appearance at the riverside track.
Tim Tetrick was back in the bike behind Backstreet Shadow ($2.20) after they teamed up for a resounding 1:47.3 victory at The Meadowlands on the Hambletonian Day undercard. Picking up where they left off, the pair yielded early control to Imarocnrollegend N before brushing to the lead just beyond a :27 first quarter. Once clearing, Backstreet Shadow maintained command through middle fractions of :54.1 and 1:22.1, turning aside a first-over push from Our Max Phactor N up the backstretch in the act.
Off the home turn, Backstreet Shadow faced a final challenge from Imarocnrolllegend N, who closed to within a half length at the finish. However, Backstreet Shadow was under wraps for the entirety of the stretch en route to his 17th win. Scott Rocks finished third, another four-and-a-half lengths back.
The Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Larry Karr and J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby have banked $90,000 in five starts with Backstreet Shadow.
Backstreet Shadow's win keyed a 2-6-1-4-7 combination in the day's Jackpot Hi-5, which returned $140.82 to multiple backers and prompted a $7,162.37 carryover to Wednesday's (Aug. 28) card.
In the afternoon's sub-featured event, an $18,000 conditioned pace, JK Wildfire ($17.00) sustained a long first-over ascent to overpower pacesetter Alotbettor N and drew clear by three lengths in 1:50.3. Corey Callahan drove the Wayne Givens trainee for Legacy Racing of Delaware and Reginald Hazzard II.
Racing returns to Harrah's Philadelphia on Wednesday, Aug. 28 with the first of 13 races scheduled for 12:25 p.m. (EDT).
(Harrah's Philadelphia)