Smooth Criminal had things his own way, stealing soft middle fractions en route to victory in the $57,800 Alberta Plainsman Final for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday at Alberta Downs.

Bill Tainsh Jr. fired the Blue Burner-Gunslingin Gal gelding to command from post seven during a :28.3 opening quarter in their first Alberta Sires Stakes final of the season over the 'good' track. Smooth Criminal quickly landed in front of insider Playbook (Bobby Clark) and his trailing tier stablemate Somethinsgoinon (Keith Clark), both elimination winners, while outsider Outlawtowerinferno (Rod Hennessy) remained parked out in second.

Smooth Criminal backed down the pace as he cut middle fractions of :58.3 and 1:29.3 while the 9-5 favoured elimination winner, Cowboy Caper (Kelly Hoerdt), angled off the pylons from sixth into the second over spot.

As the field entered the stretch, Cowboy Caper was shown clear racetrack, but Smooth Criminal had opened up an insurmountable lead. The hard-closing Cowboy Caper chased home Smooth Criminal, coming up one length short at the wire. Smooth Criminal stopped the clock in 1:58.2 for his second win of the season in six starts. Lilshakerboomboom (John Chappell) closed well from the back of the pack to edge out Playbook in a photo for show.

Smooth Criminal, who finished third in his elimination last weekend to Cowboy Caper, paid $13.30 to win as the 5-1 third choice. Douglas Stout trains the bay gelding for his new Alberta owners Willie Wychopen of St. Paul and Walter Moroz of Edmonton. With today's victory, last year's Super Final runner-up improved his career record to 6-4-2 in 15 starts and boosted his bankroll to $92,538.

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