Artie’ runners go the distance on turf

Champion grass horse and Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner Artie Schiller was a natural on the turf, and many of his offspring are proving just as adept on the green, particularly as the distances get longer. On Sept. 2, the WinStar stallion had winners at 1 1/16 and 1 1/2-miles, both on the lawn, at Del Mar and Penn National, respectively.

At Del Mar, the very well-bred Irish Art went gate-to-wire in a maiden special weight contest, winning by a well-measured half-length in 1:42.52. The bay 3-year-old colt is now 1-1-0 in three starts, earning $50,750.

Irish Art is out of the top-class mare Irish Linnet, who produced Black Gold H. winner Blushing Irish. Irish Linnet won over $1.2 million in a storied 55 race career that included 13 stakes wins, with an incredible five straight victories and lowered the stakes record for the 1 1/8 miles three times in the Yaddo H.

Irish Art sold for $100,000 at the Fasig-Tipton 2009 yearling sale.

At Penn National, 3-year-old Tropic Sea was a 2 1/2 length winner in the 12 furlong turf marathon for first-level allowance types. Stalking the pace for most of the trip, Tropic Sea struck the front about a furlong out to win comfortably.

Kentucky-bred Tropic Sea is owned by his breeder Timber Bay Farm. He has won two of three starts and earned $40,080. He is the first foal out of Tropic Rhythm, who is a half-sister to Belmont S. (G1) winner Sarava.