Artcotic holds on for 1:51.2 win in 3-year-old filly pace

Artcotic held off a late bid by Real Velocity for a one-half length victory in 1:51.2 in capturing the $500,000 Breeders Crown final for 3-year-old pacing fillies. Finishing third was Elusive Prey.

Artcotic and Brian Sears got away fourth while Hana Hanover took the field past the opening quarter in :27 followed by Southwind Tempo and Art’s Fantasy. Midway down the backstretch Artcotic was flushed by the outside move from Little Miss Dragon and Sears sent his filly to the front, taking the lead at the :55.2 half.

Entering the final turn Southwind Tempo, with co-owner Toby Lynch driving, squeezed out ahead of Little Miss Dragon to mount the first-over challenge. At the 1:23 third quarter Southwind Tempo drew even with Artcotic, while behind them Yannick Gingras and Real Velocity looked for an opening. When Southwind Tempo began to tire, Real Velocity shot through the narrow opening, but it was too late to catch Artcotic. Meanwhile, Elusive Prey and Jody Jamieson went from the middle of the field to the pylons to slip up into third at the wire.

Artcotic, who won her Breeders Crown elimination last week, scored her ninth win of the year in 19 starts for owner Rodney Mitchell and trainer George Teague Jr. Bred by Perretti Farms, the daughter of Artiscape  increased her earnings this year to $504,406 and $600,468 lifetime.

“She really impressed me tonight,” said Sears. “I used her hard to get to the front and she was super.”

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