Jr Shadow Boy stays perfect with scorching win in Sagamore Sired Handicap

Jr Shadow Boy won his stakes debut in the $100,000 Sagamore Sired Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Wednesday to remain unbeaten in four career starts.

The 5 1/2-furlong race was for Indiana-sired 3-year-olds and shared a card with its counterpart for 3-year-old fillies, the $100,000 Swifty Sired Handicap, which was won by Spirited Justice ($6.80).

Jr Shadow Boy ($2.10) owns the meet’s top two Beyer Speed Figures, a 99 for an April 7 win in a first-level allowance and a 95 for a second-level allowance on May 2. He contested the pace early in the Sagamore Sired Handicap, dueling with Socorro’s Prayer through an opening quarter-mile in 21.17 seconds.

Jr Shadow Boy disposed of that rival while going on to cover a half-mile in a blazing 43.53 seconds. He remained in command of the race through the stretch, covering the distance on a fast track in 1:02.94.

Hannah Leahey was aboard Jr Shadow Boy for trainer Joseph Davis. The horse won by four lengths over Mister T, while it was another nose back in third to Socorro’s Prayer.

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Following the race, Jr Shadow Boy overheated and was hosed down on the track and tended to by a veterinarian, according to stewards. The weather was hot and humid, the stewards said, and it was one of the first such days of the season.

Jr Shadow Boy is owned by for Jimenez Racing Stable. By Unbridled Express, he was a $3,500 purchase at the Indiana fall yearling sale in 2024.

Swifty Sired

Spirited Justice darted to a 4 3/4-length win over Over and Above in the Swifty Sired Handicap. It was another three-quarters of a length back in third to Negra Noche.

Spirited Justice advanced down the backside while running into an opening quarter-mile of 21.33 seconds. She moved to the fore on the turn and was part of a three-way battle for the lead into the stretch. Spirited Justice shook her foes from there and went on to cover the distance in 1:04.29.

Luis Contreras was aboard for trainer Tomas Medina. Spirited Justice is a daughter of Lantana Mob who races for Keeley Justice.

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