Timberline Court romped to a three and a half length victory in the $9,700 Open Pace to help trainer-driver Gerry Hudon to a five-win performance at Northlands Park on a snowy -20 degree Saturday night in Edmonton.
Moving in two posts with Smart Shark and Trust The Artist scratched sick, outsider Timberline Court got away third in the early going behind Smooth Criminal (Bill Tainsh Jr.) and the leading inside starter Armbro Dublin (Blake Piwniuk).
After the :29.4 first quarter, Hudon sent his trainee first over and cleared to command past the 1:00.4 half-mile mark.
In the words of announcer Sugar Doyle, the pacers were "dashing through the snow with three-eighths to go" and Timberline Court was beginning to open up on his foes. He hit three-quarters in 1:28 and drew off to score, for the 31st time in his career, in 1:57.2 over the frozen track. Neal Diamonique (Travis Cullen) finished second and Smooth Criminal was third.
Timberline Court paid $2.50 to win as the fan favourite.
Stamping himself as a candidate for Alberta Horse of the Year honours, Timberline Court notched his fifth Open win in the last six starts and improved his seasonal record to 10-7-4 in 29 outings. He's earned $67,460 of his $333,004 bankroll this year.
Hudon co-owns the seven-year-old With Held gelding with R. Lynn Kowalevsky of Airdrie, Alta.
Hudon also picked up wins with his own trainees Cracklin Millie ($8.90), Mr Brightside ($7.30) and Baja Beach ($7.60), along with the Joseph O'Brien-conditioned Cenalta Wizard ($3.20).
Northlands Park's leading horseman now boasts 58 driving wins and 46 training tallies at the Edmonton oval this year.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northlands Park.