Scioto: Tattoo Artist triumphant in #SendItIn Invitational

Tattoo Artist shook loose from his rivals heading to three-quarters and couldn't be reeled in after that in winning Friday's $100,000 #SendItIn Invitational Pace for older horses and geldings at Scioto Downs.

Workin Ona Mystery (David Miller) left quickly from post four in the field of ten, but Tattoo Artist (Dexter Dunn) also fired out from the eight-hole, and Tattoo Artist would forge his way around Workin Ona Mystery beyond the 25 4/5 opening quarter. Tattoo Artist would then get to the half in 53 3/5 and had the benefit of a parked-out Goldie's Legacy (Matt Kakaley) stalling the outer tier.

Dunn would put the pedal down past the half and gained separation on the others in a rapid 26 4/5 third quarter, and although Workin Ona Mystery gained late after gapping the pocket when the tempo picked up and Charlie May (Brett Miller) kicked home well after being stuck in traffic and behind a breaking Heart Of Chewbacca (Dan Noble) from fourth-over, there was no catching the fleet-footed Tattoo Artist once he had the jump. Tattoo Artist hit the wire a length and three-quarters ahead of Workin Ona Mystery in a 1:48 4/5 mile, with Charlie May advancing from ninth at the half to third at the finish. Gold Digger King (Tyler Smith) checked in in fourth.

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Virgil Morgan Jr. trains Tattoo Artist, a 5-year-old He's Watching stallion, for owners Let It Ride Stables Inc., Frank Cannon, and Diamond Creek Racing. Tattoo Artist won for the 27th time from 63 starts, has now put away $1,418,249, and paid $6.20 to win as the 2-1 co-favorite with Charlie May.