Premium Attaction added his name to the list of track record holders at Alberta Downs thanks to his 1:53 score in Sunday’s $55,100 ABSS Alberta Plainsman Final for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
Trained and driven by Kelly Hoerdt, Premium Attaction matched the track standard for colts when he halted the teletimer in 1:53. The performance equaled the record set by No Fear in last year’s $50,000 Brad Gunn Stakes Final.
Premium Attaction, who was saddled with Post 8, got away fifth while Attitude Adjuster and race favourite Blue Star Admiral battled to the quarter pole in :27.2 before the latter brushed to the front. Tip Top Tap, who was parked through the first quarter, powered up on the outside and cleared just before the half flashed up in :55.3. Blue Star Admiral came right back around to retake command.
Hoerdt hustled Premium Attaction off the rail at the half, and in a matter of strides he roared to the front and enjoyed a two-length lead at the three-quarter station in 1:23.3. A :29.2 closing panel helped the son of Clintons Cigar-Themaneattacktion draw clear by 2-1/2 lengths over Tip Top Tap, with third prize going to Outlaw Falcon. Even-money choice Blue Star Admiral faded to finish fourth.
Sent off as the 8-5 second choice in the wagering, Premium Attaction extended his winning streak to three-in-a-row for Hoerdt and partner Blair Corbeil of Beaumont, AB. The pacer is a nine-time winner from 13 starts in his career, and his lifetime bankroll stands at $123,441 following today’s stakes score.
Hoerdt also found his way to victory lane in the $8,500 Open Pace with Trust The Artist, but there was a catch – he had to share the winner’s circle with No Fear and Brandon Campbell. The pacers dead-heated for the win in a time of 1:53.1 in the eight-horse affair.
Strikes N Charges took the early initiative and had the field chasing him by the first marker in :26.4. Trust The Artist rushed from second to first in the second quarter, and he was in charge of the tempo at the mid-way point in a :57-second clip. Timberline Court came after the new leader, and he eventually worked his way to the front. He was pressed by Outlaw Highvoltage to the three-quarter pole in 1:24.2, and that wild third-quarter battle took the wind out of their sails.
Trust The Artist re-rallied from the pocket spot and No Fear kicked on from the backfield, and they managed to hit the line together in 1:53.1 with Flak Jacket another length back in third.
Hoerdt, Blair Corbeil and Mike McAllister of Beaumont, AB share ownership on Trust The Artist, a nine-year-old son of Real Artist-Abreachoftrust. The veteran won for the second time this season and for the 51st time in his career. His share of the purse bumped his bankroll to $574,856.
As for No Fear, it was his second straight triumph and the ninth of his career. Sanford Campbell trains the homebred for Bill Andrew, George Rogers and Jim MacPhail of Calgary, AB. The four-year-old gelded son of No Pan Intended-Michelles Heart sent his lifetime earnings over $70,000 with the dead-heat decision.
To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results – Alberta Downs.