Meadowlands: Shartin makes history in TVG Mare Pace triumph

Shartin became both the first pacing mare and Down Under-bred horse exported to the United States to post a $1 million season by virtue of a 1:50 3/5 triumph in the $175,000 TVG Mare Pace final on Saturday night at a soggy Meadowlands Racetrack.

Starting from the pole position, Shartin was guided slowly up to the gate by driver Tim Tetrick, but once she got away clean, she went right to the front and posted a 27-second opening quarter and then a half in just 56 2/5.

Tetrick and Shartin picked up the pace around the final turn, getting to three-quarters in 1:23 2/5 and leaving Blue Moon Stride (Corey Callahan) on the rim. Pure Country (Yannick Gingras) was second-over but gapped off Callahan's helmet.

In the stretch Shartin kicked it into another gear, and nobody else could match it, as she went on to score by about three lengths. Apple Bottom Jeans (Mitchell Cushing) came from the back to finish second at long odds, and Pure Country completed her outstanding career with a third-place finish. Caviart Ally, who had the pocket trip, was fourth and Blue Moon Stride settled for fifth.

"It was a nice, easy win," remarked Tetrick.

A 5-year-old daughter of Tintin In America, Shartin is trained by Jim King Jr. for owners Richard Poilucci and Jo Ann Looney-King. Shartin, who has put away $1,131,978 lifetime, is now 19-for-24 in the win column in her initial North American campaign and has 26 career victories. The 4-5 favorite, she paid $3.60 to win.

"I spent a lot of time - it took me a year to buy her," said Poilucci. "It's been a great trip with her. She's been so talented. It was a little tough in the beginning with some breaks and a little rank when we got her here, but she has just been an incredible mare."

When asked about Shartin's Horse of the Year chances, Poilucci responded, "McWicked's been a tremendous horse, and Casie Coleman's done such a great job with that horse. I'm just happy she's done what she's done."

Poilucci added that Shartin will follow a similiar schedule to this year's in 2019, so her first stakes engagement will come at Yonkers in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series.