After dominating the New York Sires Stakes circuit, Artimittateslife is hoping to show off on bigger stages.
The three-year-old filly, who has won five consecutive races and 11 of 16 overall this year, is among the eight hopefuls in Saturday's $381,030 Lady Maud at Yonkers Raceway. If all goes well, Artimittateslife will compete in the Matron Stakes and Breeders Crown to end her campaign.
"She's been pretty consistent this year," said trainer Ed Hart, who conditions Artimittateslife in the U.S. for Canadian-based breeder/owner/trainer Bob Young. "She can do anything. She's just a good filly. The next few weeks could mean a lot. Whoever finishes out the year strong could be looking at (division) honours."
Artimittateslife was second to Chancey Lady in the $733,031 Fan Hanover Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack in June and third in the $350,000 Valley Forge at Harrah's Chester in August.
Since then, the daughter of Art Major has won the $175,000 New York Sires Stakes championship at Yonkers and the $122,500 Courageous Lady at Northfield Park. On October 17, she won her Lady Maud elimination race by a half-length over Hannah Isabel in 1:55.2.
"She came out of (the elimination) very good," Hart said. "It was a good two-hole trip for her. I think it worked out good for her coming into the final. She seems sharp. But at Yonkers you've got to have the post position. You don't want to draw outside because there are a lot of good fillies in that race."
Artimittateslife, who is 4-for-4 at Yonkers and has won seven of eight starts on half-mile tracks this year, is third among three-year-old filly pacers in earnings, with $555,190. Tug River Princess ($634,788) leads the way followed by Chancey Lady ($636,215).
"She's a nice filly; you don't even know she's there," Hart said. "She's good in the stall and eats good. Overall, she's just a sweetheart. She's easy on the track to jog. She doesn't take anything out of herself."
Cheyenne Trish, who has won four of her last five races, was victorious in the other Lady Maud elim. Also advancing to the final were Hannah Isabel, Happy Dreamer, Sand Pleasure, See And Be Seen, Stylish Artist, and Thong.
Stylish Artist won the $407,400 Mistletoe Shalee and was the 2007 Breeders Crown champion. Thong won the $325,230 Lismore at Yonkers in July.
(Harness Racing Communications)