Once Timberline Court made the lead in Saturday's featured $9,500 Open Pace at Northlands Park, he started a game of "catch me if you can." But no one came to play.
Timberline Court advanced first over from fifth after the :27.3 opening panel and cleared to command ahead of early leader Bachelor Pad (Keith Clark) as they raced past the :58.2 half-mile mark. The 5-1 fourth choice then opened up an insurmountable lead on his Open foes en route to three-quarters in 1:25 to secure the win. He cruised home for the 1:55.1 triumph. Smart Shark (Connie Kolthammer) could only get within four and three-quarter lengths of the winner as he rallied off the cover of favourite Flak Jacket (Jamie Gray), who finished back in third.
Timberline Court paid $12.70 to win. The seven-year-old With Held gelding, who has put together a record reading 6-6-4 in 24 seasonal starts while banking $45,835 in purses, is owned by Hudon and breeder R. Lynn Kowalevsky of Airdrie, Alta. With the lion's share of the purse, the career winner of 27 races now has $311,379 earned lifetime.
The Open victory gave Hudon a training-driving double on the card, having scored earlier with Kg Rowan ($13.20).
Trainer-driver Jamie Gray also won two races. He swept the late Daily Double, beginning with Arroway ($19.60) rallying home off cover to win the $7,500 Three-Year-Old Open Pace by three and three quarter lengths in 1:57.2. Rossridge Divine ($10) closed out the card for Gray, with the Double paying $47.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northlands Park.