Trainer Keith Clark swept a pair of $11,250 ASHA Breeders Stakes eliminations for three-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday afternoon at Alberta Downs with Dewinton Destroyer and Minettas Nightstar
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Clark guided Dewinton Destroyer to a three-quarter length victory in the first elimination over Too Ideal (Don Monkman Jr.) and Gottobsexy (Jamie Gray). Pocket-sitter Clintons Playmate (Scott Knight) was fourth. After briefly relinquishing the lead to favourite Barona Josie (Bill Tainsh Jr.) near the three-quarters mark, the duo came back on in the stretch and stopped the clock in 1:57.2.
Clark also co-owns the daughter of As Promised-Avacal Hope with Doris McDougall of Cochrane, Alta. Lightly raced as a freshman, Dewinton Destroyer now boasts five wins in 11 seasonal starts with over $30,000 banked. She paid $7 to win as part of the 5-2 second choice entry.
Bobby Clark was in the bike for Minettas Nightstar’s 1:56.3 career-best score in the next elimination. The daughter of Brandons Cowboy-Lucky X Ample converted from the pocket and opened up four and a quarter lengths on her foes. Viola (Bill Tainsh Jr.) and Feeling Flush (John Chappell) finished second and third. Early leader Im Sheila (Kelly Hoerdt) was fourth.
Keith Clark also shares ownership of the second elim winner with John Hind of Calgary, Alta. After going four-for-eight and banking over $47,000 as a two-year-old, Minettas Nightstar has won two of seven starts and added another $13,000 to her bankroll this year. She paid $6.90 to win as part of the 5-2 three-horse second choice entry.
Trainer Harold Haining won three races during the 10-race program.
For results from Saturday’s harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results – Alberta Downs.