Harness racing returned to Alberta Downs with reigning Alberta Horse of the Year Timberline Court winning the meet's first Open Pace for trainer-driver Gerry Hudon during the Saturday afternoon program, which was dedicated to the late Ralph Klein.
Leaving from post five in the field of seven, Timberline Court cruised through fractions of :28.1, :57, and 1:25.2 en route to the 1:53.4 victory in the $8,500 Open feature. Flak Jacket and Jamie Gray finished three and a half lengths behind while Trust The Artist and Kelly Hoerdt closed from last to show.
The favourite paid $4.20 to win for the fourth time in seven seasonal starts.
Hudon shares ownership of the eight-year-old With Held gelding with breeder R. Lynn Kowalevsky of Airdrie, Alta. The win was Timberline Court's 36th lifetime and lifted his bankroll to $362,496.
Hudon kicked off the opening day program driving the season-debuting four-year-old mare Shirley Girl to a 13-3/4 length victory in 1:56.2 for trainer Daryl Litke. He swept the early Daily Double with his own trainee, three-year-old filly American Passion, who won by six and a half lengths in 1:59.2. After his Open win in race nine, he completed a training triple in the following dash with sophomore gelding Attitude Adjuster pulling off a 10-1 upset in 1:57.3.
Prior to Saturday's card, participants and guests of the Alberta racing community from Alberta Downs, Lacombe, AB, Northlands Park, Edmonton, AB, and Rocky Mountain Turf Club, Lethbridge, AB paid tribute to the late Ralph Klein in a moment of silence at 12:45 p.m.
Horse racing lost an ardent supporter and valued friend on March 29 when former Premier Klein passed away. “King Ralph,” as he was known for both his personality and political longevity, led the province of Alberta for 14 years as Premier, leaving office in 2006.
Premier Klein was a tremendous booster of horse racing across the province -- particularly harness racing for which he had a special interest. He drove in many exhibition races and founded the annual Premier’s Challenge Charity Race in which he often got the better of MP George Vandenburg.
In 2006 prior to leaving office, Premier Klein put Alberta racing in the national limelight by challenging comedian Rick Mercer to a match race at Northlands Park. He was also a long-time horse owner in the Don Monkman Jr. stable and was co-owner of the mare Cool One when he passed away.
In the mid 1990’s Premier Klein’s conservative government partnered horse racing and gaming by introducing Racing Entertainments Centers to the province -- a program that is still in place to this day and was responsible for revitalizing the horse racing industry.
Premier Klein’s contributions to racing will never be forgotten in Alberta.
Live harness racing continues on Sunday, May 5 with a 1:15 p.m. post time.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Alberta Downs.
(With files from Alberta Downs)