Sholty sweeps with Artist's View, Art At Heart

Trainer Buzzy Sholty swept the opening round of the Four Leaf Clover Series with  Artist’s View and Art At Heart on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. Artist's View scored in 1:53.1 while Art At Heart turned in a 1:53.2 clocking.

Artist’s View was pinned behind the dueling leaders Hard To Beat and Mud On The Tires before shaking loose in the stretch to win the second of the $25,000 two divisions.  He drew off to a 1 3/4-length win in in rein to George Brennan.  Four Starz Sue flew home late to finish second, while Hard To Beat held on for third.  Artist’s View paid $3.60, $2.40 and $2.10.

Artist’s View is aiming for his second series crown at the Meadowlands.  The 2007 Breeders Crown champion captured the $71,800 Aquarius last month.  Lifetime, Artist’s View has won 11 of 28 starts and $533,135 for William Rufenacht of Archbold, Ohio and DM Stables of Naples, Florida.

His stablemate, Art At Heart, rallied off a ground-saving journey to win the first of the Four Leaf Clover divisions. 

Fox Valley Gambler, the 2-5 favorite, carved the early fractions before folding under the challenge of Mighty Young Joe on the final turn.  Art At Heart, third on the rail, found room in the stretch and surged past Mighty Young Joe for a 3/4-length win.  Noble Falcon grabbed the show spot.  Driven by Brian Sears, Art At Heart returned $26.60, $12.80 and $8.20. 

Sholty co-owns the gelding with JML Stables of Heathrow, Florida.  Art At Heart was a $62,000 yearling purchase at the Harrisburg Sale.  He has won four of 27 career starts and $91,542.  Last season, he won a New Jersey Sire Stakes leg and was second by a head to Spin Rate in the $101,300 Matt’s Scooter Final.

“[During the race tonight] I couldn’t breathe the whole time,” Sholty said.  “He is a fast horse and has been making breaks.  He bobbled in the stretch tonight.  He took a step.  Brian [Sears] said he was fine until then.  I checked his knees boots to see if they were hitting and they were fairly clean.”

The Four Leaf Clover continues with a second leg on March 15 and concludes with a $100,000 estimated final on March 22. (Meadowlands)
 

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