Favourites Tip Top Tap and Premium Attaction separated themselves from their freshman foes around the final turn in each of their $27,400 Alberta Shooting Star divisions to secure third round Alberta Sires Stakes victories on Sunday afternoon at Alberta Downs.
In the opening division, Tip Top Tap and trainer-driver Rod Hennessy were parked out well past the :27.4 first quarter from post six before clearing to command down the backstretch. The popular colt reached the half in :57.3 and began to open up by five lengths on top en route to the 1:26.3 third quarter station. Blue Star Admiral (Bill Tainsh Jr.) dwindled the front-runner's leading margin down to just a couple of lengths with a late rally, but Tip Top Tap had secured himself the win in 1:57.3. Rays Crown Royal (Kelly Hoerdt) finished third.
Tip Top Tap, winner of his first ABSS division on Aug. 12, returned $6.30 to his backers as the 2-1 favourite.
The Camystic-Tapioca Hanover colt was purchased at the ASHA Yearling Sale for $30,000 by Edmonton's Lorne Duffield. He has put together a record reading 3-2-1 in eight starts while earning $34,660.
Trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt sent Premium Attaction from third to first past the :28.4 opening quarter in the second split and carved out middle panels of :59 and 1:27.2 while extending his leading margin to six lengths. The 3-5 favourite could not be reeled in by the other colts as he romped home to an open length score in a new mark of 1:55.3. Early leader Tatsu (Jim Marino) followed in second and Play Me Right (Brandon Campbell) came on for third.
Premium Attaction, winner of a second round ABSS division on Sept. 2 that began his current three-race win streak, returned $3.40 to his backers.
The son of Clintons Cigar and Themaneattacktion is owned by Hoerdt and Blair Corbeil of Beaumont, Alta. Purchased for $1,700 at the ASHA Yearling Sale, Premium Attaction has won five of his seven career starts while banking $43,111.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Alberta Downs.