The well-travelled pacer Lizard King, driven by John Hudon, front-stepped his way to victory lane in the $25,000 Harvest Stake on Friday night at Fraser Downs.
With elimination winner Cash Account a late scratch, the field for the stake final was reduced to eight with Lizard King firing from post three to establish the lead over Killean Cut Kid and catch-driver Jim Marino during a :26.3 first quarter.
As the four-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding led the way in front of the grandstand for the first time, his fellow David Hudon trainee Camblazer angled off the pylons from third with Lil Dude Starrbuck and Scott Knight following his cover.
Lizard King carved out middle splits of :57 and 1:25.3 while keeping the first over attacker at bay and drew clear in the stretch to score by one and a half lengths in 1:55.3. Killean Cut Kid rallied up the passing lane to finish second while Camblazer prevailed in a photo finish for third.
The 6-1 fourth choice returned $14.70 to his backers.
Vancouver's Bill Boden recently purchased Lizard King, who has recorded two wins and four close seconds -- including his runner-up effort to Armbro Dublin in his elim -- in nine starts since arriving on the West Coast harness racing scene from Ontario in October.
The win was the pacer's eighth lifetime and boosted his bankroll to $184,130. It was also part of a driving double on the 12-race card for John Hudon and a training triple for David Hudon.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Fraser Downs.