Wrangler Betonme claimed sole ownership of the track record for two-year-old male pacers on Saturday afternoon with his 1:55.3 winning performance in one of two $17,500 Forest Wilson Sales Stakes divisions
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Wrangle Betonme, the favourite in the second division, sprinted to command from Post 6 ahead of outsider Smooth Criminal (Connie Kolthammer), his fellow co-track record holder for two-year-old male pacers. The son of As Promised-Ja El Shamrock and driver Bill Tainsh Jr. reached the opening quarter in :27.3 and led the way past middle splits of :57.4 and 1:27 en route to the victory in 1:55.3, lowering his lifetime record and the track record by one-fifth of a second. Smooth Criminal followed one and three-quarter lengths behind in second with his stablemate, Outlawtowerinferno (Don Monkman Jr.), over seven lengths behind in third.
Glenda Smith trains the nearly perfect colt for breeders Dr. Maurice Stewart and Maureen Stewart of Leduc, Alta., and co-owners Lyle and Sandy Reid of Sherwood Park, Alta. A runner-up in his career debut, Wrangler Betonme has gone on to win his next five starts including divisions of the Horizon Pace and Alberta Sires Stakes Rising Star and Lonestar.
Trainer-driver Connie Kolthammer didn’t settle for second in the earlier division though as Outlaw Beacon delivered a maiden-breaking score in 1:57.2.
Outlaw Beacon fired off the gate from Post 4 and crossed down to the pylons in front of favourite Cenalta Power (Ryan Grundy), who started just to her inside. However, Cenalta Power refused to sit a pocket trip and was on top within a matter of strides as they passed the :28-second opening quarter mark. Cenalta Power remained in control to the half in :58.4 and three-quarters in 1:28, at which point Outlaw Beacon pulled the pocket and put away the front-runner. The second choice gelding opened up a six length lead down the stretch before hitting the wire in 1:57.2. No Fear (Jim Marino) got up for second over Clintons Bruiser (Kelly Hoerdt).
The homebred son of Blue Burner-Billie J Blue Chip, who notched his first win in six career starts, is owned by Kolthammer’s Outlaw Stable of Falun, Alta.
For results from Saturday’s harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results – Alberta Downs.