The 2010 winter meet of harness racing at Northlands Park kicked off on Friday and Gerry Hudon was quick to dominate the 10-race program as he guided three of his own pupils to victory over a frozen track
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Favourite Black Mac went wire-to-wire to win the fifth race in 1:58.3 by two and a half lengths and 10-1 Kg Mattmerlin advanced on the outside to prevail in the following race by a head over Quik Change Artist (Kelly Hoerdt) in 2:02.1. Kg Mattmerlin along with the other horses in the field avoided a mischievous rabbit, who was too quick to cause interference as he darted across the track in the stretch. In the ninth race, ASHA Breeders Stake winner Nazko Finally, the fan favourite, pulled the pocket before the three-quarters mark and kicked away by nearly four lengths to score in 1:58.3 and wrap up Hudon’s training triple.
The resident of Edmonton, Alta. finished second to Keith Clark in the 2009 trainer’s standings at Northlands after recording 32 wins and earning $345,596 in purses. He sent out 86 winners on the year and banked $681,078. Hudon now boasts 1,615 training victories and over $10.4 million in earnings on his resume.
Trainer Glenn Lutz was close behind Hudon as he sent out a pair of winners during Friday's program.
Months after one rabbit caused a hair-raising accident, another nearly caused one in the night's sixth race. Thankfully for all involved, the rabbit did not cause a major incident.
To view Friday's results, click here.