Meadowlands: Lyons Sentinel successful in Artiscape Mares Open Pace

Lyons Sentinel, sent off at odds of 4-5, didn't disappoint her backers in the $160,000 Artiscape Mares Open Pace on Saturday night at the Meadowlands, prevailing in a career-best 1:48 flat. That clocking lowered the world record for a 4-year-old pacing mare on a mile track by a fifth of a second.

Driven by Tim Tetrick, Lyons Sentinel was positioned in the pocket behind Rocknificent (Scott Zeron) at the opening quarter, which went on the board in a swift 26 seconds. Tetrick brought his charge to the outside past that marker, and Lyons Sentinel took command before the 54 3/5 half was reached, with Gia's Surreal (George Brennan) taking up the chase first-over from fourth prior to that station.

Gia's Surreal advanced into second on the far turn, but Lyons Sentinel maintained command at the 1:21 4/5 three-quarters, and though Gia's Surreal kept trying hard through the lane, Lyons Sentinel couldn't be caught, winning by a length and a half. Gia's Surreal was a determined second, with JK First Lady (Dexter Dunn) third after sitting on the inside and angling out in the stretch. Rocknificent wound up fourth, and Treacherous Reign (Todd McCarthy) finished in fifth.

"She's a beauty just like Shartin, lots of things about her the same, but there's only one Shartin. She's just a good mare," said Jo Ann Looney-King, whose husband Jim trains Lyons Sentinel. "As long as she stays healthy and sound, we'll be (in all the big races)."

A 4-year-old Captaintreacherous mare, Lyons Sentinel is owned by Threelyonsracing. She is now a 14-time winner in her career, and she has put away $1,354,386. She paid $3.80 to win.