by Kim French, USTA Internet News Editor

East Rutherford, NJ — Although it appeared at the top of the lane Lady Shadow would dominate her competition in much the same fashion as in her world record 2:00.3 performance in the $229,900 Golden Girls over the same Meadowlands oval on July 16, the 5-year-old daughter of Shadow Play-Lady Camella required some serious urging on the part of pilot Yannick Gingras to outlast a swiftly advancing Solar Sister (Brian Sears) to capture the $235,950 Lady Liberty TVG Pace on Saturday (Aug. 6).

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Lady Shadow was a 2:03 winner in the Lady Liberty.

Scott Zeron sprung Inittowinafortune right on the lead the second the gates swung away from the 12-horse field in the 1-1/8 mile contest. That mare led through a spritely first quarter-mile of :25.2 until Lady Shadow loomed first-over to capture the lead.

Owned by David Kryway, Carl Atley, Edwin Gold and BFJ Stable, the mare led her rivals through splits of :53, 1:20.4 and 1:48.3 into the homestretch. At this juncture, there were nearly four lengths of daylight between her and her competitors and it appeared she would triumph as she pleased.

As she traversed the path to the wire, however, Lady Shadow was vigorously handled by Gingras to hold off the onslaught of Solar Sister. She went under the wire in front by a rapidly diminishing three-quarters of a length for her fifth consecutive victory and sixth of the season. Katie Said (Brett Miller) closed from out of the clouds to nail down the show spot.

The winner, conditioned by Ronald Adams, stopped the clock in 2:03 and paid $3.80 to her backers. The exacta was $7.80 and the trifecta paid $41.80.

“I am so very fortunate,” said BFJ Stable’s Howard Taylor after the trophy presentation. “I’m embarrassed by the wealth of riches today. I own Shamballa, Control The Moment and Lady Shadow. I don’t know what exactly I’m doing, but I’m glad to be in this place.”