She had clearly sent signals that she belonged, and with the money on the line, Art Of Arts got the job done
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A field of five pacers found themselves behind the starting-gate at Cal Expo on Friday night (January 21) in the $7,025 Peter Lobell Series Final, in which Art Of Arts was fastest of all.
Before starting from post-position one, driver Anthony Succarotte was right to the point.
"I thought she could be first, second, or third because she finishes if you save her," stated Succarotte.
With the field just entering the first-turn, Succarotte had an opportunity to close off the three-hole on the second-choice in the wagering, Vic The Brick (Steve Hyman), but chose not to.
"I wanted to sit behind him with the thought that he'd hopefully carry me to the top of the stretch."
Coming away in fourth position while the 1-2 favourite Fakeutu Bluegrass (Tim Maier) got extended some for the lead into a :28.4 opening-quarter, Succarotte had no early complaints, but that was soon to change when the half-mile timer flashed 1:00.3.
"I loved the quarter because they went :28.4, but then Maier backed the half down and I didn't like that because I didn’t want everyone else to have the same punch as I would have."
With the field now 7/16ths of a mile from home, Succarotte chose not to get flushed out first-over by W D Cowboy Justice (Quentin Schneider)
"Even though I was hoping to follow Vic The Brick, who had pulled when I didn't, I still wasn't concerned because I figured W D Cowboy Justice would not last and I'd be able to get out."
Clearly with a chance to pull while fourth by only 3-3/4-lengths at the three-quarter mile station, timed in 1:29.4, Succarotte liked what he was feeling.
"She felt good and comfortable as she did the whole time and I still thought I could be first, second or third."
Moving to second-over position just to the head of the lane, then racing three-wide with 3/16ths of a mile to go, Succarotte asked and received.
"I was counting down that she was going to be third, then second. Then she dug in and came up with the win."
Flying into the lead at the seven-eighths mile pole, the four-year-old mare under minor urging drew clear to the wire to win ($21.00) by two-lengths. Owned by trainer Dario Solares, Art Of Arts stopped the timer at 1:58, a lifetime best. Vic The Brick finished in second, and Fakeutu Bluegrass tired to third, another 3-3/4-lengths farther back.
"She raced like a dream and did everything I wanted her to do and more. I'm very, very happy for Dario," finished Succarotte.
(Cal Expo)