Plainridge: Lyons Sentinel equals Shartin's track record in Clara Barton victory

Lyons Sentinel tied former stablemate Shartin's all-time track record at Plainridge Park on Sunday afternoon in winning the $100,000 Clara Barton for pacing mares in 1:48 1/5.

Driven by Tim Tetrick, Lyons Sentinel showed some speed from post three, along with Rocknificent (Scott Zeron) to her outside and JK First Lady (Dexter Dunn) to her inside. However, Tetrick made a key decision to back off into a three-hole, which allowed Rocknificent to clear JK First Lady before the rapid 25 3/5 opening quarter went on the board.

Unlike in the Dorothy Haughton final last Saturday at the Meadowlands when JK First Lady sat in the two-hole behind Rocknificent, Dunn elected to move her to the point this time, which he did after the quarter was reached. After taking charge, JK First Lady put up a quick 53 2/5 half and a dazzling 1:20 1/5 three-quarters, but Lyons Sentinel was out and moving first-over going to the latter station.

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After a brief battle, Lyons Sentinel put a tiring JK First Lady away midway through the final bend, and then Lyons Sentinel hit another gear that the competition couldn't match as she drew off powerfully to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Rocknficient held second over a rallying Peaky Sneaky (Todd McCarthy), with Snobbytown (Andy Miller) and Warrawee Ubeaut (Dan Dube) rounding out the top five.

"I wanted to get out there a little bit and force the issue. What really made my race a lot better was when Dexter re-moved. That added a little more speed to the half," said Tetrick. "My mare, she responded super today. She was on her toes, and she went a really good race.

"Honestly, I didn't want to clear because sometimes when mine clears she'll see butterflies and lose her focus. Today, she dragged me around the track, and I knew today she was going to go on and get the job done."

Jim King Jr. trains Lyons Sentinel, a 4-year-old Captaintreacherous mare, for owner Threelyonsracing. This was her 15th career victory, and she has now earned $1,414,609. She paid $3.80 to win as the favorite.