After trailing the field through the first half-mile, Kneedeep N Custard ($9.80) circled his rivals in sloppy conditions to win Friday night's opener at Fraser Downs.

Back in action for the first time since late July and coming off a third-place finish in Open company at Century Downs, Kneedeep N Custard was ordered outside of his competitors in a $7,200 upper conditioned-claiming pace, although it was a short field of just five.

The four-year-old Custard The Dragon gelding rallied wide around the first-up Appellate coming into the stretch and defeated that foe by one length in 1:53.4 while the popular pacesetter, Night Stick, finished just over three lengths back in third.

Scott Knight drove the winner for trainer Kelly Hoerdt, who also co-owns with Blair Corbeil and Fred Gilbert. Kneedeep N Custard banked more than $200,000 during his 14-win sophomore campaign and was crowned the B.C. Breeders Stakes champion. He's since won five of his nine starts this year and has finished no worse than third while adding another $28,000 to his bankroll.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.