For the second consecutive week, Kelly Hoerdt’s Trust The Artist triumphed in the $15,000 Open Pace today at Northlands Park - this time braving frigid temperatures
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Hoerdt tucked the son of Real Artist in third as Tajma Hall (Jean Francois Gagne) laid down opening panels of :28.3 and :59. As the field approached three-quarters in 1:27.4, Trust The Artist, the 3-5 favourite, angled off the rail and charged up alongside the pacesetter. Those two had the wire in their sights as they turned for home but down the lane Trust The Artist gained the upper hand pacing on to win in 1:56.3.
Tyber King (Gerry Hudon) closed well finishing one length back in second while the pocket-sitter, Lilsharkshooter (Jeff Stone), finished third.
Hoerdt owns the five-year-old bay with Blair Corbeil and Mike McAllister of Beaumont, Alta. Trust The Artist picked up his 23rd lifetime score and bumped his earnings to $347,047 with the win.
In other action, Keith Clark pupils dominated the middle portion of the 10-race program on Saturday afternoon bringing his yearly win total to 15.
The resident of De Winton, Alberta drove Moon Rock Jock to victory in 1:58 in the third dash then returned to the winner’s circle in the following race with Jaw Dropper winning in 1:58.1. Clark also picked up back-to-back wins starting in the sixth race with Modern Legacy in 1:58.3 and with Outlaw Mister Cool in a new mark of 1:59.4.
To view Saturday's results, click here.