The Alberta Sires Stakes spotlight shifted to the three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Sunday afternoon at Alberta Downs as they faced off in three $6,667 eliminations of the Alberta Plainsman.
In the first elimination, favourite Outlaw Last Chance ($3.30) overcame the outside post seven starting spot and cruised wire-to-wire to score his first win of the season by open lengths in a career-best 1:55.3 with Brandon Campbell aboard. Get Thereovernight and Donttelldaddy finished second and third. The grey Brandons Cowboy-Red Star Muffin colt is trained by Joe Ratchford for owners Gordon Baxter and Miranda Logan.
Jamie Gray's Sotally Tober ($3.50) released the parked outsider Oh Yeah after a speedy :26.4 opening panel before moving back out for the retake in the second elimination. The favourite then took a second quarter breather before beginning to draw away from the field with Comes Home First chasing him to the wire in 1:54.2, matching his lifetime mark. Regina Beach finished back in third. Gray co-owns the As Promised-Rain Drop Hanover gelding, who has now earned back-to-back victories, with Diane Bertrand and Robert Gilhespy.
Driver Travis Cullen made his move with Adios Pick champion Sonic Spark ($3.60) nearing the half-mile mark in the final elimination and the popular As Promised-Sparks Full Deck colt advanced from fourth, clearing to command into the final turn en route to a career-best 1:54.1 triumph. Pass The Port finished over one length behind with Outlaw Gunpowder rounding out the top three finishers. Harold Haining trains Sonic Spark, who extended his win streak to three, for owner Donald Richardson.
The $50,000 (added) final will be contested next Sunday, June 22 at Alberta Downs.
Other winners on the card were: The Big Heist, C Cs Princess, Roof Daddy, Three Wishes, Ghost Pine, Western Chrome, Premium Attaction, Pedal Steel, Officialconnection and Total Rhythm.
Race results for Sunday's card will be delayed until Monday due to internet issues. Alberta Downs apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the delay.