Dark Artist continues love affair with turf

Dark Artist continued her renaissance on turf by winning the $60,000 Open Mind at Monmouth Park on Saturday. The win, her third straight, makes her 3 for 4 since trainer Jane Cibelli moved her to the grass.

After beginning her career 1 for 4 on the main track, Cibelli switched the daughter of Paynter to turf. Although her first effort didn't go well, she has since won a first-level optional-claiming race at Gulfstream Park and the Boiling Springs and Open Mind at Monmouth.

There was little speed in the Open Mind, and 25-1 Too Charming was allowed to set a leisurely pace of 24.21, 49.41, and 1:14.71, while Trevor McCarthy stalked her aboard Dark Artist.

Too Charming had plenty left when Dark Artist came calling and it was a battle to the wire, with Dark Artist scoring by a neck. It was 3 1/2 lengths back to So Hi Society in third.

"I was a little closer than I thought I would be, but she turned off for me, which is the key with her," McCarthy said.

Dark Artist paid $3.80 in the eight-horse field.

So Hi Society and Wealth effect, the second- and third-betting choices who are trained by Chad Brown, raced at the back of the pack early and were compromised by the pace. So Hi Society worked her way between horses nearing the stretch, while Wealth Effect was fanned very wide.