by Sandra Snyder, for the Ontario Sire Stakes

Campbellville, ON — Shadow Play daughters Shadows Wonder and Brookdale Shadow provided Dr. Ian Moore with a small measure of consolation at Mohawk Racetrack on Monday evening (Sept. 2) as they battled to victory in their respective Ontario Sire Stakes Grassroots divisions.

The fillies’ Ontario Sire Stakes success helped ease the disappointment felt in the Moore barn late last week when Arthur Blue Chip, another Shadow Play freshman, had to be scratched from Saturday night’s Metro Pace final due to sickness. The colt had been installed as one of the favorites for the final after capturing his Aug. 24 elimination.

Shadows Wonder and driver Jack Moiseyev started the mood-brightening in the second division with a charge around the final turn that saw them reel in the leaders and battle home to a half-length victory in 1:55. Artful Impulse paced into second, leaving pacesetter and fan favorite Somebaysomewhere to settle for third.

The win was the second straight for Shadows Wonder, who is owned by Moore, R G McGroup Ltd. and Serge Savard. The partners also bred the daughter of Shadow Play-Putnams Wonder.

One race later Randy Waples partnered with Moore’s second entry Brookdale Shadow, guiding the filly to a three-quarter length win in a personal best 1:55.1. Wishful Luck and favorite Hare To Eternity rounded out the top three.

Monday’s outing was Brookdale Shadow’s first in the Ontario Sire Stakes program. Up until late August the filly had been racing in the Maritimes for owners Douglas R. and Douglas E. Polley.

In the other three $17,100 divisions, point leader and heavy favorite Momara sprinted around the Mohawk oval to her fourth straight Grassroots victory, stopping the clock at 1:55.3; Stellllllla earned her first lifetime victory with a 1:54.3 effort; and favorite Skippin By paced to a personal best 1:53.4, trouncing the 12th race field by eight lengths.

The freshman pacing fillies make their last regular season Grassroots start at Grand River Raceway on Sept. 11.

Ontario Sire Stakes excitement continues at Mohawk Racetrack next Monday (Sept. 9) with the regular season finale for the 3-year-old pacing fillies.

For complete results go to this link.