Tattoo Artist dominates in $260,000 Ewart Memorial

Tattoo Artist (Hes Watching) followed up last week’s Canadian Pacing Derby win with an emphatic blowout harness racing victory in the $260,000 Jim Ewart Memorial at Scioto Downs on Saturday night (Sept. 9)

Pilot Louis-Philippe Roy was content to sit fifth early with Tattoo Artist as returnee Beach Glass (Yannick Gingras), who hadn’t raced since last November, fired off the gate and roared through an opening quarter in 25.4 with Chase H Hanover sitting the pocket. Roy had clear intentions to attack the leader first up and he moved Tattoo Artist out of fifth just past the quarter.

As Beach Glass paced to a 54.1 half, Tattoo Artist had already progressed to third, 2 3/4 lengths behind but under acceleration with the leader in his sights. Beach Glass was still there, leading by a length in 1:22.1 at the three quarters, but Roy then gave Tattoo Artist his cue and he blew past a tiring leader and quickly grabbed a couple of lengths on the closers.

Tattoo Artist’s 26.1 kicker overwhelmed his rivals as he strode away to a 4 1/4 length 1:48.2 win. Backstreet Shadow (Tim Tetrick) who tried in vain to catch up to Tattoo Artist’s cover on the final turn, closed for second over Charlie May (Brett Miller). Chase H Hanover stayed for fourth and early leader Beach Glass faded to last.

TATTOO ARTIST REPLAY

Tattoo Artist, who won only twice in his first 14 starts this year, has now won three straight and five of 17 overall. The $130,000 winner’s share of the purse raised his earnings to more than $2.94 million for owners Let It Ride Stables, Bottom Line Racing Llc and Frank Cannon, all of Florida, and Diamond Creek Racing of Pennsylvania.

The Ian Moore trainee paid $4 to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink