Luc Ouellette joined some very elite company when he reinned home his 8,000th career winner on Friday night at Woodbine Racetrack.

The veteran pilot came into the night just one win away from the milestone and got it done in the seventh race aboard trotter Longbeach Tuffy, although the final outcome was in doubt right up until the finish.

In fact, Longbeach Tuffy hit the wire in a dead-heat with pacesetter Bacchus Marsh, who refused to give up the lead he enjoyed since the outset. The win time was 1:58 and was Longbeach Tuffy's third in 19 starts this season for owner Susan Downey and trainer Ian Downey.

Ouellette, a native of Quebec, who now calls Campbellville, Ontario home, has won many of the sport's biggest races including the Pepsi North America Cup, Little Brown Jug and the Meadowlands Pace.

He is also one of the top money-winning drivers in harness racing history with over $120 million in purse winnings to his credit.

To view Woodbine’s results, click here.

(WEG)