Sent the 1-5 favourite, Shartin N strolled to the lead and faced little challenge when winning the $330,000 Roses Are Red final in 1:49 on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Driver Tim Tetrick sent the six-year-old Tintin In America mare to the top while Caviart Ally sat second into a :25.4 opening quarter. Tequila Monday sat third into the backstretch with Seaswift Joy N stalking fourth before getting flushed first over by Shartin N’s stablemate Bettor Joy N.
Shartin N continued on the front uncontested into a :54.4 half and passed three-quarters in 1:22.2 with Seaswift Joy N not advancing wide of pocket-sitter Caviart Ally. Through the stretch Shartin N kept course and cruised to a length-and-a-quarter victory over Tequila Monday sliding through the cones for second and Caviart Ally chasing in third.
"Yeah, she's tough. I had a spot where I wanted to go ahead and try to get control, you know, she does the rest," said Tetrick after the win. "She's pretty easy to drive now, she'll let me relax on the lead and she just keeps going. When somebody comes on her, she really likes to fight. She's a great horse.
"She's sound, she's healthy and she loves to do her work. Me and Jimmy talk about how tough as nails she is and we haven't messed it up yet between me and him. She's a lot of fun."
Tetrick was very complimentary of the connections, speaking highly of the King family and how have treated him like he's one of their own.
"They're part of the family. They've welcomed me into their life and thank God for that. They do a great job with their horses -- their whole crew -- and I'm just happy to be part of it."
Now compiling $1,726,155 in earnings, Shartin N collected her 34th victory. The Jim King Jr. trainee races for owners Richard Poillucci, Joann Looney King and Tim Tetrick LLC. She paid $2.50 to win.
Be sure to check out the recaps and replays from the stakes-loaded card of harness racing action at Woodbine Mohawk Park on 2019 Pepsi North America Cup night in our North America Cup Night News Centre
(with file from Woodbine)