The Lance Ward-trained Neal Diamonique followed Wrangler Hitech wide and after a judge’s placing, he inherited the win in Saturday’s $12,000 Open Pace at Northlands Park

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Smart Shark (Connie Kolthammer) left from the inside post and carved out all the fractions, :27.4, :58.4 and 1:27.4, but was swarmed in the late stages. Sitting sixth, Brandon Campbell moved Neal Diamonique into the outer flow en route to the half and followed one of the co-favoured entrymates, Wrangler Hitech (Keith Clark), three-wide at the next interval.

Wrangler Hitech swept past Smark Shark, with Neal Diamonique closing quickly. Wrangler Hitech hit the wire first with a neck to spare but was bumped back to second for causing interference to Neal Diamonique in the stretch. Neal Diamonique inherited the win in 1:56 and Almost No More Bs (Jamie Gray) rounded out the top three.

Neal Diamonique paid $16.60 to win as the 7-1 sixth choice.

The five-year-old son of Real Desire-Diamonique Mindale is owned by Edward Dhoedt and Ernest Greenwood of St Albert, Alta and is now two-for-three with $12,690 earned so far this year.

In other action, trainer Ron Graham, who recently suffered a shattered elbow in a three-horse spill on Valentine’s Day, enjoyed some racing luck when three of his pupils turned in winning efforts during Saturday’s 10-race card. Tace Of Red (2:00), Cry Freedom (1:57) and Weareverigo (1:57.4) each won their respective assignments with J.F. Gagne in the bike.

To view Saturday’s results, click here.