Artist's View collects second Big M series final in 2008

Artist’s View triumphed in an epic duel with Four Starz Sue to take the $94,000 Four Leaf Clover on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. 

Starting from post 10, Artist’s View followed Fox Valley Gambler on the outer tier as first Hard To Beat, and then Four Starz Sue claimed the lead.  When his cover ducked to the inside, George Brennan sent Artist’s View up to challenge Four Starz Sue and they engaged in a duel that took the field through middle fractions of 55.2 and 1:23.3.  The pair of rivals was still stride-for-stride with an eighth of a mile to go before Artist’s View began to pull away.  He held off Hard To Beat, who benefited from the garden trip, by a neck in 1:51.  A game Four Starz Sue finished third, just three-quarters of a length behind them.
 
Artist’s View returned $5.60, $3.20 and $2.20.  His entrymate, Art At Heart, finished fourth.
 
“Post 10 is always a hindrance,” Brennan said.  “I left out of there and there were a couple of guys in front of me.  Andy [Miller and Fox Valley Gambler] was looking for a seat.  I was following him and I got lucky he found a seat.  I was able to go forward and I was trying to get the lead.  I didn’t, and the horse just raced great.  The best horse won that race.”
 
It was the second stakes trophy this season for Artist’s View, who also snared the $71,800 Aquarius in February.  The 4-year-old son of Artsplace, trained by Buzzy Sholty, has won 12 of 30 starts and $582,135 lifetime.  His biggest payday was the $555,000 Breeders Crown at three.  Dm Stables of Naples, Fla. and William Rufenacht of Archbold, Ohio own Artist’s View.
 
“The horse has just been remarkable,” Sholty said.  “He’s fought through all the ailments that he’s had.  He just keeps doing it and he looks tremendous.  He carries his weight, he eats - it’s all about his attitude and he’s just a great animal.  His front feet have contracted heels [a shift of the hoof wall resulting in the narrowing of the foot], so I have to keep after his feet all the time, but basically he takes care of himself. 
 
“I believe we are going to give him a week or so off and you probably wont see him for about three or four weeks,” Sholty added. (Meadowlands)

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