Regarded as one of the top harness horsemen in Western Canadian history, Keith Clark will be inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame this summer. "It's pretty good - real good," Clark told thehorses.com this afternoon.

Keith Clark in the winter harness meet at Northlands Park in Edmonton.

The Hall of Fame nod came today, as Clark is part of a large 2009 class that includes Somebeachsomewhere. Calling DeWinton, Alberta home, Clark has piloted 5,598 winners and has driver purse earnings of $27 million. On the training side, he has more than 3,200 winners to his credit. "(Being inducted) never crossed my mind," he continued. The 56-year-old trainer/driver could write a resume that covers several pages. Since 1987, he has been connected to eight Western Canada Pacing Derby titles.

As Promised, Thatll Be Me, Clintons Cigar, Sippin Time, Just Doodlin, Rons Girl and Ma Belle Hall are just some of the Alberta champions with his name tied to them. "I think it is well deserved," said Northlands chief racing executive Les Butler today. "Keith Clark's career has been marked regularly by great horses, great training achievements and significant success in the business."

For 29 of the past 30 years, Clark has won at least 100 races. "I have heard from many Hall of Fame trainers that Keith Clark would be a champion at any track at any time," continued Butler. Until this year when the Northlands spring harness meet disappeared, Clark had spent more than a decade as the most dominant harness horseman in Edmonton. He has been racing at B.C.'s Fraser Downs for the past few months.

"A lot of good owners have stuck with me," added Clark, who also gave plenty of credit to his parents. "And special thanks to my brother Bob, who runs the farm and drives the horses, too. I have also been very fortunate to have good luck."

The induction ceremony is Aug. 27 in southern Ontario.

(Photo credit: J. Huntington.)

-copyright thehorses.com