After an uninspiring, fourth-place performance in last week’s elimination of The Bachelor Pacing Series, Knockout Artist returned to Kawartha Downs on Thursday and crushed the competition he faced in the $14,500 final

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With Aaron Byron at the lines, Knockout Artist shot to the lead from Post 2 and never surrendered the top spot. The three-year-old son of Real Artist-Eternitys Delight rolled through panels of :27.2, :57.3 and 1:25.4 before snapping home in :28.4 en route to the 1:54.3 triumph. It was 6-1/4 lengths back to runner-up Royal Bandit, with Wishiweregrey finishing third.

Trainer Tammy McEneny co-owns the gelding with ICR Racing of Pefferlaw, ON, and they’ve watched the youngster put together a 1-1-0 record in his first three starts of the 2011 season after going 0-for-1 in his rookie campaign.

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Kawartha Downs.