Timberline Court earned his 35th career win in Saturday's featured $9,900 Open Pace at Northlands Park, kicking off a training triple for Gerry Hudon.
The win was Timberline Court's first since being named Alberta Standardbred Horse Association's 2012 Horse of the Year on Feb. 9.
Mr Saratoga and driver John Chappell grabbed the lead easily from post five and carved out early panels of :29.2 and :58.4 before being confronted by Timberline Court. After settling away fourth, Hudon sent the favourite first over before the half and took over command en route to the third quarter station in 1:27.1. Timberline Court maintained a length and a half lead into the stretch and held off Mr Saratoga to win in 1:55.4. The final margin was three-quarters of a length. Smooth Criminal and Bill Tainsh Jr. followed in third.
The 3-5 bettors' choice paid $3.50 to win.
The eight-year-old With Held gelding has now earned three wins, one second and one fourth in five seasonal starts for $18,017 in purse earnings. Hudon also co-owns the $355,871 career earner with breeder R. Lynn Kowalevsky of Airdrie, Alta.
Hudon's other Saturday winners were veteran Mr Brightside ($8.10) and sophomore Attitude Adjuster ($8.40), both co-owned by Kowalevsky and Edmonton's Monica Hudon.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northlands Park.