Miami Valley: Shartin N, Barn Girl tally in Grand Circuit stakes events

Miami Valley Raceway played host to a pair of Grand Circuit races on Monday afternoon - the $102,200 Chip Noble Memorial for pacing mares and the $81,600 Miami Valley Distaff for trotting mares.

Shartin N (Tim Tetrick) was the 4-5 choice in the Chip Noble Memorial after her win in the final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series last month at Yonkers, and she didn't disappoint, winning in a track record of 1:49 3/5. Shartin N got away fifth from post two and watched as Blue Moon Stride (Corey Callahan) and Lakeisha Hall (Chris Page) battled to the 26 3/5 opening quarter, with Blue Moon Stride, the 8-5 second choice, taking control.

Blue Moon Stride would go on to reach the half in 54 seconds, but Shartin N was making a first-over move at that point, and she would strike the lead before the 1:21 1/5 three-quarters. Shartin N began to pull away around the far turn, and was under wraps through the lane, winning by 2 3/4 lengths over a rallying Medusa (Tony Hall). Blue Moon Stride wound up third.

A 5-year-old daughter of Tintin In America, Shartin N is trained by Jim King Jr. for owners Richard Poilucci and Jo Ann Looney-King. Shartin N is now nine-for-11 in the win column in her initial North American campaign and has 16 career victories. She has earned $343,975 this year and $420,092 lifetime. She paid $3.80 to win.

Back in the Miami Valley Distaff, it was Barn Girl and driver Aaron Merriman scoring in a life's-best 1:52 4/5. Churita (Trace Tetrick) led the way in the race, putting up fractions of 26 3/5, 55 1/5, and 1:24, but Barn Girl, who tucked in third early and then came first-over before the half, wore her down in the final quarter on her way to winning by two lengths. Churita did hold second, with Caprice Hill (Yannick Gingras) third.

Barn Girl is a 6-year-old Cash Hall mare trained by Bill Bercury for owner Renee Bercury. Barn Girl picked up the 48th win of her racing career, and she has now put away $661,142. The 5-2 second choice, Barn Girl returned $7.60 to win.