Three-year-old pacing colts Playbook and Outlaw Beacon stole the spotlight on Sunday with a pair of victories in their respective $17,500 Red Serge Sales Stakes at Alberta Downs.
With trainer Keith Clark in the bike, Playbook won the fastest division after rallying home in :27.3 off a three-hole trip. The 9-2 third choice held off No Fear (Brandon Campbell) to win in 1:54.3 by half a length while Outlawcoltfortyfor (Brent Grundy) finished two lengths behind in third. The mile time was one-fifth of a second off the winner's lifetime mark.
Playbook notched his third victory of the season to go along with five other top three finishes from 13 starts. His seasonal bankroll increased to $39,318. The Camcracker-Incognito Miss colt is owned and bred by Clark, Calgary's Laurence Swalm and Verne Rea, and Doris McDougall of Cochrane, Alta.
Favourite Outlaw Beacon cruised wire-to-wire to win the other division in 1:56.1 for driver Jim Marino and trainer Lance Ward. He paid $4.60 to win. Somethinsgoinon (Keith Clark) followed one length behind from the pocket and Cenalta Power (Ryan Grundy) rounded out the top three finishers.
Ward also co-owns the Blue Burner-Billie J Blue Chip gelding with fellow Sherwood Park, Alta. resident William Exelby and Edmonton's Edward Dhoedt and Shir Win Racing Stable. Outlaw Beacon now boasts four wins, four seconds and one third on his 17-race seasonal record with earnings for the year totalling $47,503.
Outlaw Beacon's victory was one of three on the card for Marino and Ward. Caress Of Steel ($6.60) and Canaco Nolton ($6.80) also clicked for the duo. Meanwhile, Clark doubled with former Bev Sears Sales Stakes champion Minettas Nightstar ($7.10).
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Alberta Downs.