Neal Diamonique and driver Jim Marino prevailed in a tight photo finish over Trust The Artist and Kelly Hoerdt in what appeared to be a two-horse race in the $8,800 Open Pace on Saturday afternoon at Alberta Downs

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Neal Diamonique, the 7-5 second choice, left swiftly off the gate from the inside post position to take command of the six-horse field with even-money favourite Trust The Artist hot on his heels and the rest of the field trailing a few lengths behind.

The six-year-old son of Real Desire-Diamonique Mindale carved out fractions of :27.2, :56.1 and 1:25 with the field eventually catching up to the top two.

As they turned for home, Hoerdt released Trust The Artist from the pocket resulting in a two-horse breakaway once again. The top pair battled head-to-head to the wire with Neal Diamonique getting the slight upper hand in a photo finish. The career winner of nearly $360,000 stopped the clock in 1:52.3 over a 'good' surface, beating Trust The Artist by just a head. Barona Ice (Bill Tainsh Jr.) finished nearly eight lengths back in third.

Trained by Lance Ward, Neil Diamonique has won three of 11 starts this year to earn over $20,000 for owners Edward Dhoedt of Edmonton and Ernest Greenwood of St. Albert, Alta.

Trainer-driver Jamie Gray won three of the 10 races on the card with Indigo Spark, Gottobsexy and Be One.

For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Alberta Downs.