On Saturday at Northlands Park in Edmonton, AB, a total of 15 three-year-old pacing colts and geldings will contest two eliminations for the $100,000 Albertan.
The top four finishers from each elim will gain entrance to the Albertan, which will be contested Saturday, October 25.
Timberline Court has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favourite in the first elim (Race 5). The With Held gelding is trained and driven by Gerry Hudon and is coming in to the elim off a 1:55.1 victory last week at Northlands.
Neal Diamonique, the Real Desire colt that was the $70,000 sale topper at Standardbred Canada's 2008 February Freeze Mixed Sale, has drawn the rail spot in for the first elim. This year's Western Canada Pacing Derby winner will be making his second start back from a layoff. From 18 starts this year, Neal Diamonique has amassed a record of 6-5-3 and $160,059 in purses. Driver Keith Clark will return to the bike this week.
In the second elim, Major Domo and Life Of Rocknroll form an entry from the Kelly Hoerdt stable listed as the 4-5 morning line choice. Neither pacer brought the clock under 1:57.3 in their most recent efforts at Northlands.
The Albertan is restricted to Alberta-owned, foaled or sired pacers. First race post time Saturday at Northlands is 1:00 p.m.
To view the entries for the program, click here.
(With files from Horse Racing Alberta)