Remington Park: Antioch Diamond proves fastest in Turf Sprint

Antioch Diamond, who won all four of his Remington Park starts in 2010, remained perfect at the current meet Friday night when he shook a stubborn Conkigo in the stretch to win the $50,000 Remington Park Turf Sprint.

It was Antioch Diamond’s second win at the 2011 meet, which opened in August, and it was also his second consecutive win in the Remington Park Turf Sprint.

Antioch Diamond ($3.40) was with the pace from the outset on Friday, dogged by Conkigo through an opening quarter in 21.40 seconds. The pair continued to duel through a half-mile in 43.89, with Antioch Diamond finding more in the late stages for a one-length win. He covered five furlongs on firm turf in 55.97.

“Down the lane he dug in,” said Cliff Berry, who rode Antioch Diamond for trainer Aaron Box. “He’s a class horse.”

Antioch Diamond has now won 12 of 24 starts. He earned $30,000 for his win in the Remington Park Turf Sprint, which was restricted to horses bred in Oklahoma. Antioch Diamond, who races for Claude Box, has now earned $222,983.

Conkigo was second in the Remington Park Turf Sprint, 3 1/4 engths clear of third-place finisher Her Man.