Neal Diamonique extended his winning streak to three-in-a-row thanks to an eye-catching score in off-the-pace fashion in Tuesday’s $8,800 Open Pace
at Alberta Downs.
With Jim Marino at the controls, Neal Diamonique got away seventh in the seven-horse affair while Clintons Escape threw down fractions of :27.2, :58.1 and 1:26.2. Marino was first-over at the mid-way point while sitting fifth on the outside, and Neal Diamonique improved to be third and first-over at the three-quarter pole. Clintons Escape was still on a short lead at the head of the lane, but he was starting to tire.
Neal Diamonique, on the other hand, was just starting to go to work. He unleashed an impressive, closing quarter of :26.1 and that was enough to earn the six-year-old son of Real Desire-Diamonique Mindale the win by three-quarters of a length over Trust The Artist. Barona Ice tagged along to finish third.
The 1:53.4 triumph for Neal Diamonique represented his fourth win of the season from 12 opportunities. The 25-time winner, who is owned by Alberta partners Edward Dhoedt of Edmonton and Ernest Greenwood of St. Albert, pushed his lifetime earnings to $363,836 with the win.
Hall-of-Famer Keith Clark had a big day at the office, as well, thanks to a three-win performance with horses from his outfit. The conditioner clicked with Ambers Best (1:57.2), Blue Star Charger (1:59.1) and Barossa (1:58) with Bobby Clark at the controls for all three wins.
Over the course of his career Clark has amassed 3,625 wins while watching his trainees haul in close to $23 million in purse earnings.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Alberta Downs.