Shark Fest and Stelle Ne Cielo both used off the pace tactics to prevail in their respective $25,000 ASHA Breeders Stakes eliminations for three-year-old fillies this afternoon at Northlands Park.
Keith Clark’s Shark Fest took her elimination in 1:54.2 after rushing past the pacesetter, Bette Blue Chip (Mark Bradley), in the stretch.
The daughter of Cams Card Shark got away fourth, but tipped off the rail after the first quarter mark of :27.3. Caught behind the first-over challenger, Starring Role (Brandon Campbell), the 8-5 favourite was forced to angle three-wide after the half in :55:3. A Ps Money Maker (Bill Tainsh, Jr.) followed suit and the pair battled with Bette Blue Chip on the front end through a 1:24.4 third quarter. With a final push in the stretch, Shark Fest pulled away by four lengths for the win.
Bette Blue Chip and A Ps Money Maker finished second and third.
Clark owns the winner of five races this season with Harvey and Ann Jaeger of Okotoks, Alta. With eight lifetime wins, Shark Fest has earned $107,431.
Trainer Ron Graham engineered a winning trip aboard Stelle Nel Cielo in the first elim for owner Norman Kennedy of Calgary, Alta.
After getting away last, the Astreos filly, who won her Alberta Lady division last week, advanced from third-over and sprinted home collaring the pacesetter, Modern Legacy (Keith Clark), at the wire in 1:57.2. Doober Hoozzitz (Grant Warren) came on for third.
Stelle Nel Cielo took her sixth win of the season and seventh in her career, pushing her total earnings to $131,298.
In the $16,100 Open Pace, Neal Diamonique rallied from off the pace to score his first win since his triumph in the Western Canada Pacing Derby Final in June.
With Clark at the lines, the 10-1 longshot sat in fourth as Skip To My Mjjz (Brent Grundy) set the tempo with fractions of :27.4 and :56.3. At the half, Clark tipped his charge out following the cover of Trust The Artist (Kelly Hoerdt) through a 1:25.3 third quarter before charging home in :28 for the win in 1:53.4 by three-quarters of a length.
Lil Sharkshooter (Jeff Stone) came on for second and Trust The Artist (Kelly Hoerdt) finished third.
The three-year-old son of Real Desire notched his ninth career win and lifted his bankroll over the $200,000 mark for trainer Lance Ward and owners Edward Dhoedt and Ernest Greenwood of St. Albert, Alta.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.