Hartmann and driver Robert Shepherd pulled off a double-digit upset win with the favourites breaking stride in Friday's featured $7,000 Preferred 3 Trot at Grand River Raceway.
Favourites Chewey and Kashs Caviar made early miscues off the gate while third choice Triple B Herbie established the lead with the inside post advantage. Meanwhile, Hartmann settled into the pocket spot from post five and played follow-the-leader through fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:29. As the field entered the stretch, Hartmann swept up the inside past the pacesetter and held off the late-closing Northern Buzz by half a length for the 2:01.1 triumph. Triple B Herbie settled for third one length behind.
Sent postward as the 14-1 sixth choice in the field scratched down to eight, Hartmann paid $31.50 to win.
The Like A Prayer-Canne Angus gelding is owned and trained by Isabelle Darveau of Cambridge, Ont. A 20-time winner with career earnings totalling $278,745, Hartmann earned the first victory of his nine-year-old campaign out of 15 starts.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Grand River Raceway.