Breeders Crown: Lady Shadow dominates in Open Mare Pace

Lady Shadow took the lead past the quarter and controlled the proceedings from there to easily win the $250,000 Breeders Crown Open Mare Pace, giving driver Yannick Gingras his second trophy of the night.

Elimination winner Frost Damage Blues (Brett Miller) got the first call, but she would be overtaken by Solar Sister (Doug McNair) before the 27 second opening quarter. Lady Shadow was on Solar Sister's outside at that point, and she would power her way into the first position as the mares raced into the backstretch.

Lady Shadow flashed through a half in 54 2/5 and three-quarters in 1:21 4/5, opening up a gap on the field at that call, and Gingras urged her home through the stretch to win by 2 1/2 lengths over Sassa Hanover (Matt Kakaley) in 1:49 4/5. Frost Damage Blues finished third, with Solar Sister fourth and Skippin By (Corey Callahan) fifth.

"Speed is her game, and she gets to use it here on the big track. It puts a good stamp on the end of the year," said winning trainer Ron Adams, who noted that Lady Shadow would be in the TVG if she came out of this race in good shape. "She's been awesome."

Adams trains Lady Shadow, a 5-year-old mare by Shadow Play, for owners David Kryway, Carl Atley, Ed Gold, and Bfj Stable. This was the 27th win of her career, and she has now earned $1,491,542. The 1-5 favorite, Lady Shadow paid $2.40.