The track record for three-year-old pacing fillies was torched on Saturday at Alberta Downs thanks to a 1:53.4 speed show from River Lass
.
The daughter of As Promised-Brass Buttons was allowed to race from off the pace in the early part of the mile, but when trainer/driver Kelly Hoerdt called on her for speed in the late stages of the $6,100 tilt she complied in a big way.
River Lass powered home in :29.1 to win by a five-length margin in a career-best and track record clocking of 1:53.4. Crying Over You took home the runner-up award and third money went to Queen Of Swing.
The former track record of 1:55.4 was set by Arctic Flame mark on May 2, 2009.
The victory was the fifth of the season in 12 trips postward for River Lass, who is owned by Hoerdt and partner Blair Corbeil of Beaumont, Alberta. The 11-time winner has earned more than $92,000 in her career.
In the very next race, Neal Diamonique rallied to a second consecutive victory in the $10,000 Open Pace for the duo of driver J.F. Gagne and trainer Lance Ward. The five-year-old son of Real Desire, who set a track record of 1:51.4 in last week’s triumph, roared home in :26.1 to win by a length in a time of 1:52.4. Armbro Dublin (Bobby Clark), who was part of a two-horse entry sent out by trainer Keith Clark, was second. Third prize went to the other half of the pari-mutuel entry, Wrangler Hitech (Keith Clark).
Neal Diamonique, who is 6-for-14 this season, has racked up 18 lifetime tallies for owners Edward Dhoedt of Edmonton and Ernest Greenwood of St. Albert, Alberta.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.