Artistic Fella rolls in NJSS

Artistic Fella, ignoring rain and mud, extended his winning streak to seven with a victory in the $175,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes (NJSS) for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Artistic Fella paced the mile in a NJSS record and lifetime best of 1:49.1. The winner of the Suslow and Berry’s Creek finals is being pointed toward the $1 million Meadowlands Pace on July 15.

“Every time I race him, he gets better and better,” said Hall of Fame driver Cat Manzi, who has driven the son of Pacific Fella in his last three starts. “He’s become a wonderful horse. The weather didn’t affect him. Nothing seems to bother him anymore. He does what I want him to do. If I want to leave, he leaves. If I want to take him off (the pace), he does. I love him!”

On Saturday night, Manzi put odds-on favorite Artistic Fella on the lead off the gate, and they drew off in the stretch to a 3 3/4-length victory over Feelin Friskie. It was 6 3/4 lengths to Pownal Bay Matt in third.

“It’s like a dream, and you just hope it keeps going,” said winning trainer Steve Elliott. “Next week he’ll be off, and then it is the Pace elims (on July 8).”

Artistic Fella has earned $396,560 for owner Joseph Alborano of New Egypt, N.J.

“He’s doing really well,” said Alborano. “He’s a great horse. He’s just getting it done. I’m not going to look two weeks from now. I’m not going to discount anyone. There are a lot of good horses I haven’t met yet. I’m not afraid of them. Steve is doing a tremendous job. I want to thank everyone. Cat drove the horse great. He drove his father in record time, and he did a great job tonight.”

Artistic Fella has seven wins in 11 starts this year and 10 wins in 15 career outings. His seven-race winning streak began on April 21 in the $72,770 Suslow final at the Meadowlands. He added the $225,000 Berry’s Creek final on May 6 and swept all three of his preliminary legs of the New Jersey Sire Stakes.

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