Though the pacesetting favourite Criminal Record gamely fought for the lead, Trip Hammer powered past late in the stretch to win the fastest of three $7,500 Alberta Plainsman eliminations on Tuesday (July 21) at Century Downs.

Criminal Record cleared control while Trip Hammer, starting from the pylon post, secured the pocket prior to a :27.4 first quarter. The three-year-old gelding by Trust The Artist continued to ride the leader’s helmet past a :57.3 half, but vacated the pocket approaching three-quarters in 1:25. Spinning into the stretch Criminal Record held a slim lead as Trip Hammer dug into the 3-5 favourite, eventually grinding by nearing the finish to win by a half length in 1:55.1. Wink N Win rallied from 10 lengths off the lead to take third.

Trained and driven by Nate Sobey, who co-owns with Diane Bertrand, Robert Gilhespy and Terry Ostashek, Trip Hammer won his third race from 12 starts, earning $35,180. He paid $12.30 to win.

Chazmichaelmichael swept to command past the quarter and maintained command to the finish of a 1:56.2 mile to win the first elimination of the Alberta Plainsman.

Past the quarter in :28.2, Chazmichaelmichael endured little pressure through the mile. Westcoast Dragon chased from the pocket through middle fractions of :58.2 and 1:27.1, giving futile pursuit to the pacesetter in the stretch as Chazmichaelmichael strode to a one-length victory as the 1-2 favourite. Westcoast Dragon held second with Red Rooster taking third.

Co-owned by trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt with Blair Corbeil, Chazmichaelmichael remains undefeated in three starts while accruing $8,950 in earnings. The colt by Custard The Dragon paid $3.00 to win.

The final Alberta Plainsman elimination went to 1-9 favourite Major Custard, who commandeered the field past the quarter and strolled to a 1:56.1 victory.

Horse held a brief lead by a :27.4 first quarter but soon scoped a trip from the pocket as Major Custard circled to the lead. Just Mac then angled first over from fourth as the tempo slowed to a :59.1 half but parked into the backstretch with an accelerating pace. Major Custard took the field to three-quarters in 1:27.2 and began to widen his lead around the final turn, rolling through the stretch to a three-and-three-quarter length victory over Horse. Ragged But Right came from second over for third.

Owned by J J J Stables and Jim Marino, Major Custard won his seventh race from nine starts, earning $96,500. Michael Campbell trains the Custard The Dragon gelding while Brandon Campbell sat in the bike. He paid $2.10 to win.

To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Century Downs.