Published: January 8, 2012 12:01 am ET

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Hilldrop Shady stepped back into the Open ranks and rallied home off cover to score his first win of the Northlands fall-winter meet in the $9,500 pacing feature on Saturday evening at the Edmonton oval.

Driver Brent Grundy positioned Hilldrop Shady fourth off the gate before catching cover behind the favoured Flak Jacket (Jamie Gray) as they approached the third quarter station. The six-year-old Shady Character-Grecian Formula gelding then bounded home in :28.2 to pull off the 12-1 upset, stopping the clock in 1:54.1. Pacesetter Timberline Court (Gerry Hudon), also a 12-1 shot in his first race since taking his 1:51.3 mark at Alberta Downs on June, 27 2011, held off pocket-sitter Neal Diamonique (Jeff Stone) for second one and a quarter lengths behind. Flak Jacket finished fourth.

Hilltop Shady improved his lifetime record to 18-7-9 in 65 outings while lifting his earnings to $93,651 for trainer Ken Read and owner Wally McKay of Millet, Alta.

The winner returned $27.90 to his backers.

Horseman Gerry Hudon scored a training-driving triple during the 12-race program with Baja Beach ($3.50), Red Riverboat ($8.30), and Kg Art Dreamer ($32.30). He also catch-drove one more winner in Arctic Pine ($4.10) for trainer Harold Haining.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northlands Park.