by Ellen Harvey, HRC, a division of the USTA

In a world record performance for a mile and a sixteenth, Artistic Fella and Tim Tetrick won the $250,000 Pacing Classic final in 1:56.1 on Saturday night at The Meadowlands by 3-1/2 lengths.

USTA Photo

Artistic Fella, driver Tim Tetrick and owner Joe Alborano with the Pacing Classic trophy.

Mr. Feelgood (Andy Miller) was first to hit the quarter mile mark in :26.1 with Total Truth behind him. Tetrick had Artistic Fella out at about the three-eighths, and cleared to the lead before the :54.2 half. Just after the half, Jody Jamison and Western Shore rushed up to challenge on the outside pacing in step to the 1:21.4 three-quarter mark.

But by the head of the stretch Artistic Fella had rebuffed Western Shore and was pacing away from the field for the win. Won The West (Greg Grismore) was second, Western Ace (Brian Sears) was third. Artistic Fella is trained by Steve Elliott and owned by Joe Alborano of New Egypt, NJ.

“I just wanted to save him a little bit early,” said Tetrick. “He can go a mile really fast, likes to be in control. He’s as good as any horse I’ve ever driven and probably the best older horse. I called on him at the top of the stretch and he responded; he was great and he’s at the top of his game, never seen him better.”

“It’s not about doing all the work [in a race],” said owner Joe Alborano. “He [Tetrick] gave him a perfect drive tonight; it’s a real privilege to own a horse like this.” Alborano denied a possible stallion career might be in the near future for Artistic Fella. “He’s probably going out on the racetrack next year and we’ll see what happens, and without a doubt he’s here next week [for the US Pacing Championship]. We’ll worry about the horse first and if a record offers, that’s an addition to a good night. I love the horse and everybody does right by him, he has the heart of a lion and I feel privileged to own him.”