Fear My Shadow takes FM Open Pace for Trainer Ralph Silvestri III

May 10, 2022

A new name that has become more frequent in the program at Monticello Raceway recently is Ralph Silvestri III, prior to this afternoon starts Slivestri had only 9 starts at the Catskill Mountain oval with a UDRS of .284, this afternoon Silvestri improved his stats as he scored a training double with She’s A Billionair (Mike Merton) and the FM Open Pace with Fear My Shadow.

Making her Monticello debut was I Choose You, a recent winner of 2 qualifiers at the Mighty M, this afternoon she made her Monticello Raceway pari mutual debut in the Open for Fillies and Mares. Starting from post position 6 the heavy favorite was first off the gate and set the pace through splits of 28.3, 58.1 with Greg Merton aboard. Before the half the first to move was Aberdeen Seelster (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) who sat on the outside uncovered for the rest of the mile, Dirtylittlelies (Mac Sowers) mounted a 3 wide bid at the ¾ in 1:27.1 while I Choose You was still on top of the field. Patiently bidding their time in the garden spot was Fear My Shadow, at the top of lane Parker was able shake free to win in 1:57 with Fear My Shadow. The 7 YO daughter of Shadow Play is owned and trained by Ralph Silvestri III, it was her 5th win of the season, dismissed by the public who let her go off at 11.50 – 1, she rewarded her faithful backers with a $25.00-win ticket, she was driven to the win by Brandon Parker.

Mike Merton drove 3 winners on the card, taking both ends of the early double with Flyhawk El Fiero 1:59.2 – $3.90, Special Achiever 1:56.3 – $4.90 and with She’s A Billionair 1:57.14 – $3.40. The 3 wins for Merton is good enough to place him in 5th place for leading drivers with 48 win for the season that just past the quarter marker.