Trainer Fred Drouillard won for the first time since 2021 at The Raceway at the Western Fair District with Crytel Shadow (Shadow Play), a filly who had never been successful.
Brett MacDonald led the filly to win from start to finish. She easily navigated the first half and was able to stave off Andy Moore's first over Into Go from three quarters, holding fast to the line for a one and a half-length score in 2:01. Into Go was ranked #2 after Nick Boyd's Liquor Is Quicker.
Crytel Shadow was bought by Drouillard at the Harrisburg auction in 2022, and she was assigned to make her stage debut in 2023. Before her victory on Wednesday, the three-year-old placed fifth in each of her first three starts in 2024. At Hiawatha Horse Park in September 2021, Drouillard's last victory was achieved with Stonebridge Apollo, a gelding that was retired after just one more race and had not been seen in a race since. Between that time and Crytel Shadow's premiere, the horseman failed to register another start. As a trainer, Drouillard is 143 for 1,079 lifetime with almost $1.3 million in earnings.
The Raceway at the Western Fair District will host more action on Friday, May 10 at 5:50 p.m. EDT.