Shartin N, the 2019 Harness Horse of the Year, returned to defend her harness racing title in winning form once again, capturing the $33,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace Tuesday at Yonkers Raceway.
It was just the second start of the 2020 season for Shartin N as she remains undefeated for trainer Jim King. Jr. and driver Tim Tetrick.
The fifth race feature started off with Snobby Town and driver George Brennan shooting out to the early lead with Cavairt Ally (Andrew McCarthy) leaving from post seven and settling on the lead as they went by the opening quarter mile in :27.4.
They raced single file until the half mile marker in :57.2 and that is when Tetrick made his move from fourth place with Shartin N. The world champion mare moved up to collar Caviart Ally and start to pass her by at the three-quarters in 1:24.3.
Unable to completely clear to the lead on the final turn, Shartin N kicked in another gear in the stretch and went on to win by one and one-half lengths over Snobbytown in 1:52. Caviart Ally was third.
Owned by Richard Poillucci, Jo Ann Looney-King and Tim Tetrick, Shartin N is a seven-year-old mare by Tintin In America and she paid $4.20 to win as the even money favorite.
2019 was a banner year for Shartin N as she won 15 of her 19 starts and $982,177 in purse earnings, leading toward her being named the Dan Patch Harness Horse of the Year. Lifetime Shartin N has 43 career wins and $2.1 million in earnings.
by Steven Wolf, for Harnesslink