Harrah's Philadelphia: Shartin game, determined in Betsy Ross battle with Caviart Ally

Shartin and Caviart Ally traded blows throughout the $100,000 Betsy Ross Invitational for pacing mares on Sunday afternoon at Harrah's Philadelphia, with Shartin, racing gamely as always, overcoming the equally tenacious Caviart Ally in a 1:49 2/5 mile.

Caviart Ally (Andrew McCarthy) had a post advantage on Shartin (Tim Tetrick), starting from the three versus the seven for the defending Dan Patch Award winner, and McCarthy wasn't about to relinquish that, leaving with authority and forcing Shartin to back into the pocket past a wicked 25 2/5 opening quarter. McCarthy then slammed on the brakes in the second quarter, getting to the half in just 55 2/5.

With Apple Bottom Jeans (Corey Callahan) moving first-over from fourth as they got to the half, Tetrick had a decision to make, and he elected to fire Shartin back to the outside again. She hooked up with Caviart Ally to the 1:21 3/5 three-quarters, got a slim advantage as they continued to throw down on the last turn, and kept in front through the lane, winning by a quarter of a length. Caviart Ally was a no-shame second, with Apple Bottom Jeans, Delightfulmemphis (David Miller), and Tequila Monday (Brian Sears) rounding out the top five.

"I was a little afraid something like that might happen, but she just overcame it," remarked Tetrick. "She just showed how tough she really is. She could have gotten beat very easy there. She won that on heart. She's just a great horse. Caviart Ally is a very talented mare, and when she's on the lead she's always tough to beat, and out of a hole she's tough, but today Shartin got the job done.

"She hates to lose and hates to let one pass. I got a neck in front turning for home, and she just stayed right there. I get more nervous than she does probably. She just keeps digging and shows that she's a real champion."

Jim King Jr. trains Shartin, a 6-year-old daughter of Tintin In America, for owners Richard Poillucci, Jo Ann Looney-King, and Tim Tetrick LLC. She scored her 32nd career victory, and she pushed her bankroll to $1,498,853. The 6-5 favorite, she returned $4.40 to win.

"I've never trained anything like her, and there aren't many people that have trained a horse like her," said King Jr. "No matter what I do she overcomes it. That's not a dream trip, but she overcomes it. She's a winner.

"She's in all the same races she was in last year, and from here we're going to go to Canada in the Roses Are Red. Hopefully her biggest competition is going to be her stablemate (Bettor Joy)."