Making his first start of the year, Trust The Artist held off the defending Open Pace champion Timberline Court down the stretch to notch his 50th career victory for trainer Kelly Hoerdt in Northland Park's top class on Saturday afternoon.
With Brandon Campbell catch-driving, Trust The Artist established the lead from post three in the $9,500 Open while the popular outside assignee Timberline Court and trainer-driver Gerry Hudon settled into the pocket spot. Trust The Artist led the field of seven through fractions of :28.2, :57.3, and 1:26 en route to the 1:55 triumph. Timberline Court, who had won six of his last seven Open starts, came up just a nose short in the win photo while early trailer and 17-1 shot Neal Diamonique, driven by Travis Cullen, finished three lengths behind in third.
Trust The Artist paid $16.40 for the mild 7-1 upset.
The nine-year-old son of Real Artist now boasts a 50-28-11 record in 153 starts with earnings totalling $563,214 for O'Brien Award of Horsemanship nominee Hoerdt and fellow Beaumont co-owners Blair Corbeil and Mike McAllister.
While Hudon just missed in the Open with Timberline Court, he was not at a loss for Saturday scores. Edmonton's leading horseman celebrated his first four victories of the year earlier on the 12-race card with Mr Brightside ($9.60), Big Bang Theory ($4.60), Kg Rowan ($8.70) and Cracklin Millie ($8.60).
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northlands Park.