Robert Lopes claimed an emotional victory during weekend harness racing at Vesey Street.The veteran driver guided his former pony, Mike’s Shadow, to victory in the Free for All and then dedicated the achievement to the memory of his late colt Shadow Play.Mike’s Shadow, now owned by David Burrows, is the father of Lopes’ late colt that was killed in an accident at the racetrack last month.“I haven’t raced in a long time and if felt good to be back in the bike,” Lopes told The Royal Gazette. “The adrenalin was there and I won one heat with him (Mike’s Shadow) and dedicated that victory to Shadow Play. It was very emotional.”Lopes also guided 12-year old gelding Mike’s Shadow to its fastest time of the season after running a 1:04/3 in the first heat of the Free for All.Three-year old colt Shadow Play died instantly in a three-horse pile up at Vesey Street on November 23.“He was unique and was just like his father; very playful but at times he could be aggressive,” Lopes recalled.Included in the race programme at the Bermuda Cablevision Friday Night Series was a moving tribute to the memory of Lopes’ late racing pony.“I thought that was great and when I saw it I couldn’t read it because I got so emotional,” Lopes said. “I couldn’t believe it, they had a picture of him on the front page with my son (Tyler) driving in memory of Shadow Play.”Shadow Play is also survived by his full brother, Iron Mike, who is owned by Ernest Paynter.Meanwhile, clocking the fastest time on the night was Colin Mello’s stud Big Red Machine who ran a 1:03 flat in the Free for All. Female driver Karista Rabain (Abbey’s Dream) and Joe Vieira (Down Home Punch) also claimed victories in the Free for All.Rookie driver Kiwon Waldron continued his impressive season, claiming victory with Mercedes Spence in the 1:08/3-1:10/3 time bar.The evergreen Johnny Paynter, who celebrates his 65th birthday this weekend, was among the night’s multiple heat winners after doing the double with Leo Simmons’ mare Ribbons & Pearls in the 1:07/2-1:08/2 time bar.Daric Seymour (LR’s Last Chance) and Cameron Harris (GV Speed Demon) were double heat winners in the 1:06/1-1:07/1 time bar.Keith Woodley (Spirit of Bruna) extended his dominance, claiming two wins in the 1:13-1:15 time bar while Chad Sutherland (Don’t Skipa Beat) swept both heats in the 1:15/1 & Slower time bar.Thomas Whited (American Treat) was a double heat winner in the 1:05-1:06 time bar while Kentwoin Jones (Hedemon) had two wins in the 1:07/2-1:08/2 time bar respectively.Series purse winners included Paynter (1:07/2-1:08/2), Dylan DeSilva (1:08/3-1:10/3), Woodley (1:13-1:15), Sutherland (1:15/1 & Slower), Whited (1:05-1:06), Paynter (1:10/4-1:12/4), Mello (Free for All) and Cameron Harris (1:06/1-1:07/1).Harness racing resumes tomorrow night at Vesey Street.