Wrangler Betonme blazed around the Alberta Downs racetrack in the opening division of the Alberta Sires Stakes Shooting Star to set a new track record for freshmen on Sunday afternoon
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The popular Wrangler Betonme ($2.90) was bet down as the favourite and cruised wire-to-wire to deliver on his pari-mutuel promise in the $18,767 opening division. The Glenda Smith trainee carved out fractions of :27.2, :56.4 and 1:25.1 en route to the 1:54 triumph. Pocket-sitter Smooth Criminal (Connie Kolthammer) followed one and three-quarter lengths behind in second and Playbook (Keith Clark) was third.
The time of the mile lowered his own track record of 1:55.3, set in the Forest Wilson Sales Stakes on Sept. 17.
The As Promised-Ja El Shamrock colt, now six-for-seven in his career, is owned by breeders Dr. Maurice Stewart and Maureen Stewart of Leduc, Alta. and partners Lyle and Sandy Reid of Sherwood Park, Alta.
Connie Kolthammer trainees Outlaw Beacon ($3.90) and Outlawtowerinferno, part of the favoured entry, swept the top two spots in the $19,067 middle split while the rest of the field was interfered with by early breaker Clintons Bruiser (Kelly Hoerdt). Despite being bothered, Somethinsgoinon (Keith Clark) stayed on the pace to finish six and three-quarter lengths back in third. The fractions were :27.1, :59.3, 1:28.1 and 1:58.
Kolthammer drove the winner, Outlaw Beacon, a son of Blue Burner-Billie J Blue Chip, for her Outlaw Stable of Falun, Alta. while Don Monkman Jr. steered Outlawtowerinferno for owner David Farrell of Yorkton, Sask.
Fresh off a win in the Forest Wilson Sales Stakes, Outlaw Beacon is now two-for-seven in his career.
Cowboy Caper ($16.30) pulled off a 7-1 upset while breaking his maiden in the final $18,767 event.
Arroway (John Chappell) took the field past early fractions of :26.3 and :56.4 before favourite Blue Star Quest (Jeff Stone) rushed to command from third and hit three-quarters in 1:26.2. Outlaw Highvoltage (Kolthammer) came first up from fifth, but Cowboy Caper then moved out from fourth and swept wide past that colt. The son of Brandons Cowboy-Prom Miss charged home to score the three length victory in 1:56.4 over Outlaw Highvoltage with Blue Star Quest finishing third.
The six-time starter is owned by trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt, Blair Corbeil of Beaumont, Alta., Peter Morris, and Roque Consultants Inc., both of Calgary.
For results from Sunday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Alberta Downs.