Northlands Park: Mr. Shadar wears down Aces Again in Harvest Gold Plate

Mr. Shadar came from a stalking position to win the $50,000 Harvest Gold Plate at Northlands Park Monday. Trained by Rick Hedge, Mr. Shadar paid $17.70 for his win in the 1 1/16-mile closing-day feature.

With Rafael Zentano aboard, Mr. Shadar was comfortably sitting in a stalking position while longshots Aces Again and Against the Tide dueled through fast fractions of 23.60 and 46.80 seconds. He moved up to engage the leaders while going four wide around the stretch turn and was all out to edge a very stubborn Aces Again. My Lucky Thirteen made a late move from along the rail to finish third. At 70-1, Aces Again was the key ingredient in the $2 exacta that paid $571.80. The triactor paid $3,636.50.

The final time was 1:47.60.

In the $50,000 Duchess of York for fillies and mare, trainer Jim Meyaard swept the first two spots with Smart Roar and Alywyn. Smart Roar paid $17.10 for her gutsy win over Alywyn, the 2010 Duchess of York winner.

Ridden by Anthony Salgado, Smart Roar went three wide while dueling with Embellished and Lynn’s Pride through snappy fractions of 23.40 and 47.20 seconds in the 1 1/16-mile race. She took held a narrow lead over Embellished with three furlongs to run, and after disposing of Embellished she was immediately collared by Alywyn, who had been sitting just off the leaders. Alywyn looked like the winner when she opened up a clear lead on the stretch turn. Smart Roar showed a lot of courage, however, and never gave up. After Salgaldo moved her off the rail she closed relentlessly and gradually wore down Alywyn to win by a neck. Fleet Mama finished a distant third.

The final time was 1:47.20.