Shartin N Continues Winning Ways In Crown Elimination
WILKES-BARRE PA – The ironsided New Zealand pacing mare Shartin N ($4.40) was hustled to the lead over a “sloppy” track Saturday at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, then went on to a one-length victory in her $25,000 elimination of the Open Mare pace.
The daughter of Tintin In America, who is now tied for second in wins in North America with her 17th win of the year (one behind Always A Prince), left well from post eight for driver Tim Tetrick, and she would not settle for an early “tuck,” but went on to the front in a demanding 26.3 opener. Shartin N, the second choice behind even-money chalk Caviart Ally, was able to back off the half to 56, and then was ready when that one advanced towards the lead down the backstretch. But Caviart Ally never got right up tight with the leader as she reached the third station in 1:24.1, and then Shartin N kept a safe margin through the 27.4 final kicker.
Twinkle, who sat in the pocket, came up the inside to be a length behind; then came Caviart Ally, another half a length behind, with another half-length to fourth-place Blue Moon Stride; Nike Franco N, the stablemate of Shartin N, was fifth and made next week’s Championship because of superior seasonal earnings.
Shartin N boosted her seasonal earnings to $832,361 and her lifetime bankroll to $909,478. Trainer Jim King Jr. trains the game mare for his wife, Jo Ann Looney King, and owner Richard Poillucci. With a $270,000 Championship next Saturday, the $31,250 fee to make Shartin N eligible via supplementation is looking like a pretty sound investment.
