Shadow Play edges Badlands Nitro to win Windy City Pace

Next stop for Shadow Play is the Messenger Stakes at Yonkers in New York



Melrose Park, IL --- In one of the most gutsy winning performances in the 26-year history of Maywood Park’s Windy City Pace, Shadow Play overcame a rugged trip and overtook Badlands Nitro in the late going to nail down a head victory in a stakes record time of 1:50.4.

The 4-5 favorite had to race parked outside of Badlands Nitro for the last half-mile and when asked, still had another gear, going on to add the $275,000 Windy City Pace crown to his recent Little Brown Jug championship.

“That wasn’t an easy trip for him and he did overcome it,” said winning driver David Miller. “He’s had a problem with his foot but he’s just amazing right now.”

From the two slot, Badlands Nitro out-sprinted the Illinois champion Mucho Sleazy, who had the coveted one post, and took command coming out of the first turn. After a: 27 first quarter Badlands Nitro's driver Brian Sears was able to slow the pace down.

Miller had to move Shadow Play out of third before the :55.4 half-mile marker and the Jug winner was still to the outside of Badlands Nitro at the 1:23.1 three-quarter pole and through the last turn where he appeared beaten.

However, Shadow Play dug down deep and responded with a furious late move, getting past right before the wire. Mucho Sleazy took third, beaten 1-1/4 lengths.

“When we got to the top of the stretch and I asked him for more he just did the rest,” said Miller, who added that Shadow Play’s next start would be in the Messenger Stakes at Yonkers.

The $132,000 winner’s share of the Windy City Pace boosted Shadow Play’s season's earnings to $723,446 for owners Serge Savard, R G Group LTD and trainer Ian Moore.


Full article on Shadow Play's victory in the Windy City pace at USTrotting.com


It looks like great horses such as Somebeachsomewhere, Art Official, Shadow Play, Santanna Blue Chip, Badlands Nitro, Mucho Sleazy and Dali (maybe even Bullvile Powerful and Keystone Horatio too!) should all hook up in the Messnger (eliminations 18oct, final 25oct) and again in the Breeders Crown, so the 3 year old colts division of North American pacing has lots of exciting races in store.