Hilldrop Shady stepped back into the Open ranks and rallied home off cover to score his first win of the Northlands fall-winter meet in the $9,500 pacing feature on Saturday evening at the Edmonton oval
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Driver Brent Grundy positioned Hilldrop Shady fourth off the gate before catching cover behind the favoured Flak Jacket (Jamie Gray) as they approached the third quarter station. The six-year-old Shady Character-Grecian Formula gelding then bounded home in :28.2 to pull off the 12-1 upset, stopping the clock in 1:54.1. Pacesetter Timberline Court (Gerry Hudon), also a 12-1 shot in his first race since taking his 1:51.3 mark at Alberta Downs on June, 27 2011, held off pocket-sitter Neal Diamonique (Jeff Stone) for second one and a quarter lengths behind. Flak Jacket finished fourth.
Hilltop Shady improved his lifetime record to 18-7-9 in 65 outings while lifting his earnings to $93,651 for trainer Ken Read and owner Wally McKay of Millet, Alta.
The winner returned $27.90 to his backers.
Horseman Gerry Hudon scored a training-driving triple during the 12-race program with Baja Beach ($3.50), Red Riverboat ($8.30), and Kg Art Dreamer ($32.30). He also catch-drove one more winner in Arctic Pine ($4.10) for trainer Harold Haining.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northlands Park.