Four divisions of the Premiers Stakes were contested at Northlands Park on Sunday afternoon, and it turned out to be another good day at the office for Hall of Fame horseman Keith Clark
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Clark sent out the top two finishers in the first of two Premiers Filly Pace tilts, with Minettas Nightstar edging out stablemate Clintons Keepsake by a nose in the $25,000 affair. Minettas Nightstar and driver Bobby Clark took the field to the quarter pole in :29.4 before yielding to Clintons Keepsake (Keith Clark). That daughter of Clintons Cigar laid out middle splits of 1:01 and 1:31.1 before being overtaken and eventually nosed out in the closing strides by Minettas Nightstar. Too Ideal (Don Monkman, Jr.) rallied late to finish third.
Keith Clark of De Winton and John Hind of Calgary, AB share ownership on the daughter of Brandons Cowboy-Lucky X Ample, who has put together a 4-2-1 record while banking close to $48,000 in the first eight starts of her career.
Feelin Flush won in maiden-breaking fashion in the other $25,000 divisions for the ladies. John Chappell mapped out a two-hole trip for the daughter of As Promised-Royals Gotta Go. Wrangler Starlight (Keith Clark) who threw down panels of :30.2, 1:00.4 and 1:30.2 before her wheels started to wobble. Feelin Flush only needed a :30.2 final quarter to propel herself to the victory in a time of 2:01. Barona Josie (Bill Tainsh, Jr.), who came first over, fell short by half a length, with Im Sheila (Gary Clark) took home the show dough.
Gordon and Marilyn McDonald of Calgary, AB hold the ownership papers on the winner of $21,026. The win improved her overall record to 1-3-2 in eight tries.
Western Olympian pushed his winning streak to three-in-a-row thanks to his 2:01 triumph in the first of two Premiers Colt Pace divisions. The son of Western Hanover-Mai Katie got away last in the field of nine for trainer/driver Keith Clark, who brushed the gelding to the lead before the three-quarter pole. He had a five-length lead on the competition at the top of the stretch, and he wound up winning by a one-length margin over Silver Eagle (J.F. Gagne). Third prize was earned by B R Money Matters (Gerry Hudon).
Clark shares ownership on the youngster with partners Robert Jones of Slave Lake and Peter Giannakopoulos of Edmonton, AB. The pacer, who has banked $21,485 to date, is now 4-for-7 this season.
Jokester failed to hit the board in the first seven starts of his career, but he hit paydirt in his eighth kick at the can. The son of As Promised-Queen Of The Prom erupted for a 46-1 shocker in his $25,000 assignment for the duo of driver Kelly Hoerdt and trainer Harold Haining. Jokester got away next-to-last in the eight-horse affair, but he gained momentum in the final half of the mile and eventual drew clear to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Western Chrome (Keith Clark) in a time of 2:00.3. Shaky Deal (John Chappell) rounded out the top three finishers.
Donald Richardson of Cochrane, AB owns the colt, who bumped his cash stash to $15,917 with the win.
To view Sunday’s results, click here.