Dover: Shartin preps for TVG with sharp qualifier

Shartin N, the 2019 Horse of the Year, qualified Wednesday morning at Dover Downs over a fast track and under overcast skies.

Driver Tim Tetrick sent Shartin N (TinTin In America) quickly to the top and set fractions of 27 3/5, 56 4/5 and 124 2/5 before stopping the timer in 150 1/5 to win by 18 1/2 lengths under wraps.

Trainer Jim King Jr. was ecstatic and confident after the race. "Last half in 53 2/5, last quarter in 25 4/5. She’s ready," said King.

When asked about her health, King added, "She had a quarter-crack a while ago.” From the look on the trainer's face, their camp is totally confident that she is fully healed.

Driver and co-owner Tim Tetrick commented, "She's a pleasure to drive. I'll be there for her, wherever she goes." Tetrick added that "She's probably going to have two more races".

Co-owner Jo Ann Looney-King, displaying her usual pre-race jitters prior to Shartin N’s races, wore a big smile after the powerful mile. When asked about Shartin N's future racing plans, she stated, "Probably the TVG at the Meadowlands (Nov. 21) and possibly the Matchmaker eligibles race at Yonkers (Nov. 28),” while Jim King Jr. nodded in agreement.

-edited release (Dover)