Smooth Criminal and Who Doesnt renewed their Open class battle on Saturday afternoon at Northlands Park with the former coming away with the narrow score this time out.
Favourite Smooth Criminal ($3.70) controlled the tempo like he has for the past three editions of the Open Pace for trainer/driver Bill Tainsh Jr. Leaving from post one, the Blue Burner gelding led the field of five through fractions of :30.4, :59.4 and 1:27.3 before holding off Who Doesnt and Travis Cullen by half a length in 1:57 flat. Advancing from third at the three-quarters mark, Who Doesnt did manage to edge by pocket-sitter Timberline Court and Gerry Hudon to secure the runner-up honours in a three-across finish.
Smooth Criminal now has two wins in his last three starts -- he was second by a head to Who Doesnt last time out on Feb. 22. The five-year-old pacer's 17th career win in Saturday's $8,000 feature race pushed his bankroll over the $200,000 mark.
Tainsh trains the winner for owners Willie Wychopen of St Paul, Alta. and Edmonton's Walter Moroz.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northlands Park.