Neal Diamonique rallied from the backfield with a strong closing kick to win the $10,000 Open Pace despite enduring broken equipment at Alberta Downs on Saturday afternoon
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Armbro Dublin (Don Monkman Jr.), one half of the favoured Keith Clark entry, fired to the lead from Post 7 before the first turn and was at the first quarter in :26.3 and half in :55.4. As he raced to the 1:23.4 third interval, the first over Murphs Tiki Bar (Rod Hennessy) moved up to challenge.
Armbro Dublin seemed to rebuff that rival in the stretch but his entrymate, Wrangler Hitech (Keith Clark), rallied off cover with Neal Diamonique closing well on the far outside to get up for the triumph.
After getting away fourth and being shuffled back to last, Neal Diamonique and driver J.F Gagne went wide at the top of the stretch and kicked home in :27.3 to win in 1:52.3 with Wrangler Hitech a half-length behind and Armbro Dublin settling for third.
The 2-1 second choice paid $6.20 for the win -- his eighth in 18 starts this year. The son of Real Desire-Diamonique Mindale is trained by Lance Ward for owners Edward Dhoedt of Edmonton and Ernest Greenwood of St. Albert, AB. He has banked $52,870 of his $327,808 bankroll during his five-year-old season.
To view Saturday's results, click here.