Smooth Criminal earned back-to-back wins in Northlands Park's $9,000 Open Pace with a 1:54.2 victory over the frozen track on Saturday night for trainer/driver Bill Tainsh Jr.
Raging Fingers (Brandon Campbell) established the early lead while Timberline Court (Gerry Hudon) and Sixdaysontheroad (Tyler Redwood) duelled for the two-hole trip with the former filling the pocket and the latter settling away third through a :28-second opening panel.
As the field raced in front of the grandstand for the first time, Tainsh Jr. sent post nine starter Smooth Criminal first over from fourth. Gable Blue Chip (J.F. Gagne) followed his cover, but was gaping past the :57.1 half-mile mark.
Smooth Criminal took aim and surged by Raging Fingers as they neared the third quarter mark of 1:25.4 and began to build up his leading margin around the final turn. He continued to pour it on down the stretch, widening his lead to nearly seven lengths.
Sent postward as the slight 5-2 favourite , Smooth Criminal paid $7.70 to win. Timberline Court and Blue Star Admiral (Phil Giesbrecht) finished second and third, respectively.
The four-year-old Blue Burner gelding earned his fifth win from 22 starts this year and lifted his seasonal earnings to $43,990 for Alberta owners Willie Wychopen of St. Paul and Edmonton's Walter Moroz.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northlands Park.