After having last raced May 2 in a leg of the classic Series at the Meadowlands, four-year-old Art Major mare Arts Diva romped during Mohawk qualifiers yester
day morning.
With pilot Randy Waples in tow, Arts Diva made every pole a winning one, expanding her lead as the dash unfolded. The eventual margin of victory was 13 and a half lengths. The mile was clocked in 1:54.
“We just came back from the States,” trainer Ken Sucee told the Woodbine Entertainment Group publicity office. “(Arts Diva) was in the Betsy Ross (at Chester Racetrack) and a leg of the Classic series (at The Meadowlands). She’s not quite up to those big girls, but we wanted to see if she could step it up a little bit and she certainly didn’t disappoint us.”
Sucee went on to comment on the mare's 2009 year and give some indication what she will be up to in the coming weeks.
“I don’t care what class you’re in, going from three (years old) to four is always a big step up. It’s been really nice to see that she can go with them. She was within four lengths of them and we couldn’t ask anything more of her," he said.
“You have to let them get their feet wet. Her family’s always come into their speed a little bit later,” said Sucee.
“We’re aiming her for the Classic Distaff here at Mohawk, on June 6 and the final on June 13, back to back.”