Harrah's Philadelphia: Shartin adds another world record to her collection

Shartin started last month with a world record in the Lady Liberty at the Meadowlands, and she began her September the same way, becoming the fastest older pacing mare ever on a five-eighths-mile track thanks to a 1:48 performance in a $30,000 Great Northeast Open Series event at Harrah's Philadelphia. Another of the sport's female stars, Hannelore Hanover, clocked a track record 1:52 in winning a companion Great Northeast Open Series dash for trotters.

In the mare pace Write Me A Song (Yannick Gingras) had the lead at the 25 4/5 opening quarter, but Caviart Ally (Andy McCarthy) moved from third to first past that point. Shartin (Tim Tetrick) had gotten away fourth, and she was sent to the outside as they raced in the stretch for the first time. Shartin was able to work her way around Caviart Ally past a 53 3/5 half, then kept the tempo high, reaching three-quarters in 1:20 4/5. Shartin got some separation on the field past three-quarters, then finished totally wrapped-up, winning by a length and a half over Caviart Ally. Apple Bottom Jeans (Corey Callahan) finished third.

The 1:48 clocking lowered the previous world record of 1:48 2/5 that had belonged to Drop The Ball (2013) and Eclipse Me (2019) and tied the overall female mark of 1:48 that was held solely by 4-year-old Somwherovrarainbow.

"I just kept the bit in her mouth and let her pace to the wire," Tetrick said. "It's cool what she did, and everyone who watched knew she could have gone a lot more. I could have gone 1:47 2/5 with no problem."

A New Zealand import, Shartin is trained by Jim King Jr. for owners Richard Poillucci, Joann Looney-King, Harrington, and Tim Tetrick LLC. This was her 40th career win, including her 14th in 15 attempts this season, and she has now earned $1,955,780. The 6-year-old Tintin In America mare was the 1-9 favorite and paid $2.10 to win.

Hannelore Hanover (Gingras) made a rare break in her Maple Leaf Trot elimination last week in Canada, but made no mistakes today. She was in charge through stations of 27 3/5, 56 2/5, and 1:24 3/5 with Muscle M Up (McCarthy) stalking from the pocket. Muscle M Up was brought to the outside on the last turn and looked like he would challenge Hannelore Hanover through the lane, but then he jumped it off early in the stretch, leaving Hannelore Hanover all alone to the wire. She defeated Rich And Miserable (Tyler Buter) by 3 1/4 lengths, with Pappy Go Go (George Napolitano Jr.) back in third.

Ron Burke trains Hannelore Hanover, a 7-year-old daughter of Swan For All, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Frank Baldachino, and J&T Silva Stables, LLC. Hannelore Hanover made her 46th appearance in the winner's circle, and she has now pocketed $2,973,845. Sent off as the 1-2 favorite, she returned $3.00 to win.

--quote courtesy of Harrah's Philadelphia--