by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Ken Weingartner

Freehold, NJ — If harness racing fans are unfamiliar with Shebestingin — and the pronunciation of her name — heading into Saturday’s $268,300 Sweetheart Pace for 2-year-old fillies at the Meadowlands Racetrack, a win from post No. 10 would seem likely to garner attention.

“I’m thrilled to have the 10 hole,” trainer Joe Holloway deadpanned. “I figure if we win from the 10 hole, everyone will say ‘Wow, what a filly!’ But what are you going to do? You have to start from someplace.”

Shebestingin, which is pronounced she-be-stingin, is 3-for-3 so far this season and is coming off an impressive 6-1/4 length win over Give Me An Amen in 1:53.4 in a division of the Tompkins-Geers at Tioga Downs on July 20. Driven by David Miller, Shebestingin was fifth at the halfway point, but rocketed to the lead with a three-wide move on the backstretch and never looked back.

USTA/Ken Weingartner photo

Shebestingin will be looking for her fourth straight victory in the Sweetheart on Saturday.

“I think she has the ability to be one of the best, if not the best, in the country,” Holloway said. “The mile at Tioga showed a little bit about what she is. It wasn’t just a couple mediocre fillies she went by; (Give Me An Amen) is a pretty good filly and she went by her like she was tied.”

Shebestingin is a daughter of Bettor’s Delight out of the mare Armbro Tussle. Purchased as a yearling for $55,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale, she is a half-sister to stakes-winners Hop Sing and Bono Bests. Shebestingin is owned by Val D’Or Farms, Ted Gewertz and L&L Devisser.

Her other wins this year came in divisions of the Simpson and Reynolds stakes, both at the Meadowlands.

Shebestingin is the 3-1 second choice on the Sweetheart morning line. Nikki Beach, who also is 3-for-3, is the 9-5 favorite, starting from post two for driver Brian Sears and trainer Tony Alagna.

Nikki Beach, a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-Western Wisdom, is coming off a one length win over Cult Status in 1:52 in last week’s Sweetheart prep.

Holloway knows Shebestingin faces a tough task trying to find a favorable spot in the field from post 10 in the Sweetheart.

“There is going to be a lot more traffic, one way or another,” Holloway said, adding with a smile. “She’s not going back to 10th, I can tell you that. I don’t know where she’s going to be, that’s what those catch drivers get the five percent for; let Miller figure it out.”

Following is the field in post position order, with listed drivers and trainers: 1. Exotic Beach, Jim Morrill, Jr., Michael Hall; 2. Nikki Beach, Brian Sears, Tony Alagna; 3. Acquavella, Mike Lachance, Tony Alagna; 4. Cult Status, Tim Tetrick, Richard Silverman; 5. UF Dragon’s Queen, Andy Miller, Kelly O’Donnell; 6. Banner Beach Day, Ron Pierce, Chris Oakes; 7. Mistresstothestars, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke; 8. Jerseylicious, Corey Callahan, Wayne Givens; 9. Odds On Alpha, John Campbell, Robin Schadt; 10. Shebestingin, David Miller, Joe Holloway.