Red Knobs leads 1-2-3 finish in Manitoba Derby for Diodoro

Trainer Robertino Diodoro swept the first three positions in the 74th running of the $100,750 Manitoba Derby with Red Knobs, Great Escape, and Clancy’s Pistol on Monday night at Assiniboia Downs.

Great Escape, the 9-5 second choice in the eight-horse field of 3-year-olds, went straight to lead and set fractions of 22.80, 47.00, and 1:12.00 under Rico Walcott.

Red Knobs attended the pace under Jorge Carreno and loomed outside Great Escape at the quarter pole before wearing him down in the final sixteenth to prevail by 1 3/4 lengths, in a time of 1:50.80.

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Clancy’s Pistol finished another four lengths back in third, well clear of 3-2 favorite Prayforpeace. Strong Belief, Gold Special, Get Witt Gone, and Dimmi Quando completed the order of finish.

Red Knobs was claimed from a runner-up finish on July 3 for $50,000 at Churchill Downs, where he finished third in two stakes at 2, including the Grade 3 Iroquois. The son of Union Rags earned $61,200 for owner Rob Nokes.

* On top of a $515,683 carryover, there was a whopping $1,647,057 wagered on the Pick 5 Jackpot on a mandatory payout day. The bet returned $1,920.50.