Artbitration p,4,1:52s; BT1:50.1 ($727,129), a stakes-winning filly who memorably engaged in a stirring stretch battle with Kikikatie in the 2003 Shes A Great Lady at Woodbine Racetrack and was beaten just a nose by her rival, passed away on Tuesday April 14, 2020, following a brief illness. She was 19.

Although Artbitration was just the second foal from a daughter of $880,492 winner So Cozy, the filly by Artiscape bred by Perretti Farms did not stand perfectly and thus was able to be purchased for just $5,500 by horseman Dwane Parker at the 2002 Tattersalls Yearling Sale in Lexington. Parker’s son, Norm, and Tom Klosky Jr. became partners on the filly and Norm handled the training.

“She took us places we had never been before,” said Klosky, who travelled to almost every single one of Artbitration’s races on the road with his parents.

“They sometimes say a horse has a heart as big as a tack trunk, and she was one of those,” said Norm Parker, “especially in the Shes A Great Lady final, when she wouldn’t give up, and the Lynch final at Pocono as a three-year-old, when she was used hard in a :26 first quarter and then pulled away to win.”

Artbitration raced in a deep class of fillies and mares. In addition to Kikikatie, she also competed against Rainbow Blue, Glowing Report, Loyal Opposition, Stonebridge Kisses, Carolina Sunshine, Invitro and Burning Point.

After winning the Lynch at age three, Artbitration finished second in the Adioo Volo on her home track at the Meadows, but she scoped sick after the race. She subsequently missed the Fan Hanover and Jugette, but returned to the races in late fall and then competed in the open events for mares at age four. She finished third in the Cape & Cutter final at the Meadowlands, beaten a neck despite starting from Post 9; second to Loyal Opposition in the $100,000 Strada Memorial at the Meadowlands; and third behind Invitro and Burning Point in the Roses Are Red final.

Klosky Jr. couldn’t part with Artbitration after retiring her from racing and boarded her at the farm of veterinarian Dr. Nick Loutsion in western Pennsylvania. There she raised seven babies and enjoyed visits and treats from those whose lives she had touched, including Parker Stable assistant Terry Brewer, her caretaker and travelling partner. Her first foal, Dew N Doughnuts p,1:51.1f; BT1:49, a son of Real Desire who showed his mom’s heart, recently was retired with 34 lifetime wins and $453,124 in earnings. Artbitration is also the dam of Dew A Little Dance p,4,1:50f ($103,605) and a two-year-old filly and a three-year-old filly who are in training.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Artbitration.

(Harnessracing.com)