Tattoo Artist powers up for Canadian Pacing Derby victory
MILTON, September 2, 2023 – Tattoo Artist flipped the script to win Saturday night’s $615,000 Canadian Pacing Derby at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
A runner-up last year to Bulldog Hanover, Tattoo Artist finally got his moment in the Pacing Derby spotlight with a thrilling 1:47.4 victory over heavy-favourite Bythemissal.
The opening stages saw the expected trio of Allywag Hanover, Linedrive Hanover and Bythemissal all show speed. Linedrive Hanover reached the first-quarter in :26.4, while Allywag Hanover sat outside set to clear as they entered the backstretch. Bythemissal moved out from third entering the backstretch to go after the lead, getting stretched by ‘Allywag’ to a :53.3 half.
With the early shuffle happening up front, Tattoo Artist sat back in seventh until angling out at the half.
Halfway around the final turn, Linedrive Hanover pulled out from third to push towards the leader, which provided would cover up an advancing Tattoo Artist. Bythemissal reached the three-quarter pole in 1:21.
In the stretch, Bythemissal was able to turn away Linedrive Hanover and had Allywag Hanover blocked behind with no racing room. However, Tattoo Artist was unleashed and charged up after the heavy-favourite, overtaking in deep stretch to win by a neck.
“I knew that there was going to be a lot of action,” said Roy. “I knew that if I wanted to race him close, I would have to use him more. I didn’t see how I could get a good trip leaving hard, but then I’ll be honest with you at the half… I knew I wasn’t going to get good cover from there.
“I was hoping leaving the gate maybe (Bythemissal) will have to come a little bit later and I’ll catch his cover but then I saw him move pretty early on at the turn and my only hope then was that the horse would have to be so good, and I’m just happy I’m here.”
Allywag Hanover finished third, while Lous Pearlman was fourth. Linedrive Hanover was fifth.
Doubling up from an explosive victory in his eliminations, Tattoo Artist is now four for 16 this season and picks up his 34th career victory and largest payday to date. The six-year-old son of Hes Watching now has over $2.8 million earned for owners Let It Ride Stables, Frank Cannon, Diamond Creek Racing and Bottom Line Racing.
The ‘Pacing Derby’ victory came in Tattoo Artist’s third crack at the prestigious race. He had previously finished second in 2022 and sixth in 2021. The victory is the first for driver Roy in the event and second for trainer Dr. Moore (State Treasurer, 2015).
“Well, this is the second time around for us and it’s just as exciting this time as it was the first time with State Treasurer,” said Dr. Moore. “Any horse in that race could’ve stepped up and won it and I’m just glad it was us. I was kind of concerned leaving that we didn’t get away that well and then he came first up I was getting even more concerned, but he caught the late cove…I think that really helped and I knew we were close enough at the head of the stretch that he was going to get around and get it done”
Roy extended his praise for the ability and heart of Tattoo Artist.
“I just love him. Once you sit behind him, you love him. He’s a great animal, he wants to do it, he’s just waiting on you to ask him to.”
A $2 win ticket on Tattoo Artist returned $15.30.
Mark McKelvie, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms
