Dead heat track record!

Though Ashestodiamonds and American Risk shared the winner’s circle in the Winners Over at Truro Raceway on Sunday, one rewrote the harness racing track’s history books.

Ashestodiamonds (Darren Crowe) protected his pylon position and accelerated ahead of his six rivals for an early lead. American Risk (Andrew Campbell) slotted in third after going two-wide into the first bend. The leader clocked a :27.2 first quarter mile, and American Risk activated first-over as Ashestodiamonds paced to the half in :56.

The pair were inseparable as they passed three-quarters in 1:25, but Ashestodiamonds appeared to be edging away from the outside challenger entering the final turn. American Risk found a second wind, though, and surged down the stretch. Ashestodiamonds was dead game at the pylons, but the surging American Risk ran out of racetrack, and the two pushed their noses past the line together for a dead heat.

Rusty Riley (Paul Langille) trailed the two in third.

ASHESTODIAMONDS/AMERICAN RISK REPLAY

The 1:54.2 timing was a track record for Ashestodiamonds, who lowered the previous 1:54.4 aged pacing mare track record that Sodwana Bay recorded in 2020. American Risk, a five-year-old American Ideal gelding, was well off his division’s top time at Truro.

Crowe also conditions Ashestodiamonds, a four-year-old daughter of Betterthancheddar, for David Livingstone of Halifax. The mare is 10-for-37 overall and has made $29,124 in her career. She also set a new lifetime mark in the effort.

George Rennison trainee American Risk tallied his 11th career win in 51 tries and increased his earnings to $70,097. The Risky Bizz Group of Truro owns the gelding.

Truro Raceway’s Sunday schedule continues on Sep. 5.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink