Shadowbdancing's speed carries in Govenor's

CHESTER, W.Va. - Like most of the winners on the Saturday undercard at Mountaineer Racetrack, Shadowbdancing put his speed to full advantage when leading all the way in the $125,000 West Virginia Governor's Stakes, the richest co-feature on West Virginia Derby Day.

Jockey Randy Meier sent Shadowbdancing to the front going into the first turn, and after opening a clear advantage, the colt just kept moving, prevailing as Meier pleased. Shadowbdancing returned $5 as the favorite in a field of seven older horses.

Encaustic rallied late to be second, with Wise Answer third. Dubious Miss, the 2-1 second choice, was never a factor when finishing last.

Shadowbdancing, now a winner in 7 of 17 starts, finished 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.10 over a fast main track. The 4-year-old son of Montbrook is based in Chicago with trainer Terrel Gore.

* Mike Smith, the Hall of Fame jockey who was at Mountaineer to ride Mine That Bird in the West Virginia Derby, rode three stakes earlier on the all-stakes card. One was heavily favored Ravalo ($2.60), who seized an opportunity turning for home when slipping through a rail opening and proceeding to a one-length score over 32-1 shot John's Burger in the $108,750 Harvey Arneault Memorial.

Ravalo, making his first start since winning the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint Handicap on May 16, finished six furlongs in 1:09.99 for his 12th win from 25 starts. The 5-year-old gelding is based in Maryland with trainer Donald Barr.

* Making her first start since being sent east from California, Tizfiz ($7.20) dominated down the stretch after getting a perfect stalking trip under Corey Lanerie in the $105,000 West Virginia Senate President's Stakes. Hungry Tigress finished two lengths behind the winner and another two lengths before Dreaming of Liz in the mile-and-70-yard turf race.

Tizfiz is now based in Chicago with trainer John Good, a former longtime assistant to Bob Baffert. Lanerie was substituting for Miguel Mena, who missed a flight out of Saratoga early Saturday and missed all his mounts.

* For Royalty ($6.40), Smith aboard, outdueled Bronx City Girl after they hooked up at the start, edging away to capture the six-furlong, $85,000 Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies by a length. Di Colas Ex, a 49-1 shot, was another 11 1/2 lengths back in third. For Royalty, a Not for Love filly trained by Todd Pletcher, won her lone prior start, a June maiden race at Delaware Park.

* Tequilas Dayjur ($14.80), with T.D. Houghton riding for trainer James Jackson, surged through an inside opening late in the turn and quickly drew off to win the six-furlong, $85,000 West Virginia Secretary of State by 1 1/2 lengths over Nadeshiko, the 8-5 favorite. Mayomast, the front-runner, held third.

* Smith started his winning ways by getting Piratesonthelake ($7.80) to break swiftest from the rail and led every step of the 4 1/2-furlong, $85,000 West Virginia Legislature Chairman's Cup. Based in Chicago with Jimmy DiVito, Piratesonthelake prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths as second choice. Bernie Blue, the 6-5 favorite in a field reduced to six, rallied to be a clear second.

* Prince Rooney ($3.80), with Lanerie riding for Steve Asmussen, set a stakes record when running off to a 15-length score in the $85,000 Mountaineer Juvenile. Prince Rooney, by Tale of the Cat, completed six furlongs in 1:10.67 in remaining unbeaten in two starts. Kid Kearney Gabe was up late for second at 13-1.

* The program concluded with Yate s Black Cat ($8.20), trained by Dale Romans, winning the West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker s Cup Stakes at a mile and 70 yards on turf. Cryptolight finished second, a length behind the winner, with Jet Propulsion third and favored Blues Street fourth. The nightcap marked the third victory of the day for Lanerie, and the third potential winning mount that Mena lost by missing his flight.