After a thrilling stretch duel, G Ts Triple J and driver Bill Tainsh, Jr. prevailed in the $131,500 Albertan Final for three-year-old colts and geldings Saturday afternoon at Northlands Park.
The son of As Promised, who finished second in his elimination, got away fifth as Barona Grizzly (Keith Clark) took command of the field and posted the opening quarter in :27.2. As Timberline Court (Gerry Hudon) made a first-over move before the half in :57.2 with The Candy Man (Mark Bradley) and Strong Signal (Jeff Stone) catching his cover, G Ts Triple J was shuffled back to last.
Meanwhile, Barona Grizzly continued to lead, but after 1:25.3 third quarter, G Ts Grizzly dug in and sprinted home in :27 for the win by half a length in a career best time of 1:53.4.
Barona Grizzly was placed third for causing interference in the stretch to the pocket-sitter, Major Domo (Kelly Hoerdt), who was placed second.
G Ts Triple J improved his record to 4-5-3 in 14 starts and lifted his bankroll to $168,135 for owners and breeders Gerald, Marjorie, and Terry McGinn of Stony Plain, Alta. Gerald also handles the training duties.
In other action, Skip To My Mjjz prevailed in Race 5, the open level class for driver, trainer and co-owner Rod Starkewski and owner Larry Thomas of Edmonton, Alta.
The five-year-old son of As Promised skipped to the lead from Post 4 battling Gibraltar Hanover (Bill Tainsh) and Tajma Hall (Jean Francois Gagne), who were strung out three-wide through a :27 opening panel. Gibraltar Hanover landed on top with Skip To My Mjjz sitting second and Tajma Hall settled back in fifth through the half in :55.3, but Skip To My Mjjz popped the pocket and re-took the lead, pulling away by three lengths before the third quarter mark in 1:25.1.
The 30-1 longshot managed to hold off a late rush in the stretch from Barona Ferrari (Rod Hennessy) and Tyber King (Gerry Hudon), who finished second and third.
The winner of 15 lifetime races and $267,270 in purses stopped the clock in 1:53.1, a new lifetime mark.
For the second night in a row, Keith Clark's pupils dominated at the Edmonton oval.
Clark scored a training triple on the 11-race card with Cigar Hall (1:55.4) in the first race, Piece Of Work (1:55.1) in the third race and Modern Legacy (1:57.1) in the eighth race.
The resident of DeWinton, Alberta has recorded 3,192 training wins in his career, earning over $19.2 million in purses.
To view Saturday's results, click here.