But it was Lavec Dream, coming from the backfield on the far outside with Luc Ouellette, who got her nose in front at the wire. Autumn Escapade hung on for second, Lantern Kronos was third, and Spice Queen (Paul MacDonell) fourth.

While not exactly a senior citizen, Lavec Dream was certainly the matriarch of this group at the age of eight. A daughter of Enjoy Lavec, she is owned and trained by Peter Kleinhans of Flemington, New Jersey, and can now boast earnings of over $800,000 from 118 career starts.

"She still has the speed," commented Ouellette. "There are plenty of problems that she has to deal with, but it seems when she comes to Canada, she gets sounder for whatever reason! "Tonight she was a pleasure to drive. I think we got lucky (that) a few horses made breaks so we were able to work out a second-over trip. She remembered who she is and dug deep in the stretch."

Courtesy WOODBINE ENTERTAINMENT