Tioga: Shartin claims her 12th straight victory in Artiscape

Shartin had to work some early to clear Caviart Ally, but she forged her way past beyond the opening quarter and went on to win the $137,000 Artiscape for open pacing mares on Sunday afternoon at Tioga Downs in 1:49 1/5.

Driver Tim Tetrick sent Shartin away hard from post three, but Caviart Ally (Andrew McCarthy) was gunned furiously as well, and they hooked up in a duel through the 25 3/5 opening quarter before Shartin took over command. Tetrick was then able to steal a soft second quarter with Shartin, reaching the half in 54 3/5.

Up the backstretch Brian Sears sent Seaswift Joy first-over out of the fourth spot, but Shartin remained clear to the 1:22 three-quarters, and a 27 1/5 final kicker got her to the wire half a length to the good over a game and belatedly-gaining Seaswift Joy. Caviart Ally had to settle for third, followed by Wisdom Tree (Dexter Dunn) and Divas Image (Matt Kakaley).

A New Zealand import, Shartin is a 6-year-old Tintin In America mare trained by Jim King Jr. for owners Richard Poillucci, Jo Ann Looney-King, and Tim Tetrick LLC. This was her 39th career win, and she has now banked $1,940,780. Sent off at 1-9, Shartin paid $2.10 to win.

"Probably we'll go to Canada to the Milton and then hopefully to the Allerage in Lexington after that," said Looney-King. "If she comes home good, and she's ready to go, we'll go."