On Monday, October 22 at Monticello Raceway, drivers of Canadian extraction were featured in the Maple Leaf Mile, part of the track's year-long Heritage Drivers Series.

When the dust settled from the event, pilot Jimmy Devaux and Gate Keeper had cruised to an easy 2:02.4 win. Second place went to Dynamic Preacher (driven by Stephane Bouchard). Elton Blue Chip and driver Keith Haase took home the show dough.

Courtesy of his win in the final preliminary of Monticello's year-long series, Devaux is now eligible to compete in the All America Cup, which will feature the winning drivers from each leg.

By the halfway point in the mile, Gate Keeper was racing overland with cover. He was first-up on the lead by the three-quarters of a mile marker before trotting away to the five and a half-length victory.

Fittingly enough, Gate Keeper, who returned $7.40 to Win, is owned by a Canadian, Robert Bourgeon of Levack, Ont.

Now the field for the series finale, the All-America Cup, is set. Besides Devaux, others who are eligible to compete include Bobby Williams Jr. (winner of the Dr. Martin Luther King Pace), Lisa Krom (Lady Godiva Pace), Jimmy Taggart Jr. (St. Paddy Pace), Alan Charles (Passover Pace), Mike Merton (Munich Mile), Mike Forte (Godfather Pace) and Zeke Parker (Mayflower Mile).

The All America Cup is slated for mid-November. Should any of the drivers who won their preliminary leg not be able to compete, the driver of the second-place finisher in that race will become eligible for the finale.

(With files from Monticello)