A neck separated the top three finishers in Monday’s $8,800 Open Pace at Alberta Downs, with top honours going to Neal Diamonique and driver John Chappell

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Neal Diamonique was allowed to slip into an early three-hole in the six-horse affair while Trust The Artist blasted to the engine and had the group lined up behind him past the opening panel in a :28-second clip. He cruised by the mid-way point in :57 before battling with Killean Cut Kid to the three-quarter pole in 1:24.3. Neal Diamonique, in the meantime, was setting up a rally from second over, and when Chappell hit the throttle the Lance Ward trainee found another gear. He used a :27.2 final frame to poke the head decision over Trust The Artist in 1:52.2. Hilldrop Shady, who came up a neck short, grabbed the show dough.

The six-year-old son of Real Desire-Diamonique Mindale now owns a 6-1-7 record from 18 starts this season for the partnership of Edward Dhoedt of Edmonton and Ernest Greenwood of St. Albert, AB. The 27-time winner has banked more than $38,000 this year and $377,652 to date.

To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Alberta Downs.