The stable of trainer Jamie Gray has come out firing on all cylinders to begin the 2009 season thanks in part to a three-win performance at Northlands Park on Saturday afternoon

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Gray, who sent out 62 winners in 2008, guided Rango (1:54.4) to an impressive score in Race 3 for owner Robert Murphy of Surrey, BC before returning to victory lane in Race 7 with Master Cain (1:57). He shares ownership on the pacer with partners Stanley and Shawn Bluestein.

Red Star Popeye (1:57.2) was a going away winner in Race 9, and thus completed the hat trick for Gray. Robert Murphy holds the papers on the gelded son of As Promised.

The productive day at the office bumped Gray’s lifetime training totals to 1,160 winners and purse earnings in excess of $6.1 million. His driving totals include 1,787 wins and more than $7.3 million in purse earnings.

In other Saturday afternoon action at Northlands Park, Canaco Nolton front-stepped his way to the winner’s circle in the $12,000 feature pace for the duo of trainer Lance Ward and driver John Chappell.

The eight-year-old son of Yankee Cam, who was sent off as the 3-2 favourite in the six-horse field, sliced out splits of :28, :57 and 1:26.1 before kicking home in :28 seconds for the 1:54.1 decision. Tajtoo was second and Presbytery finished third.

Owned by Rob Ostashek Holdings Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, Canaco Nolton won for the 25th time in his career. The Quebec-bred gelding has banked $285,620 to date.

To view Saturday’s results, click here.