With the 2008 O'Brien Awards just days away, the SC website will shine the spotlight on the finalists in each O'Brien division
.
Today we profile the aged trotting mare division.
BRIGHAM DREAM - Brigham Dream, an Ontario Sires Stakes graduate made the transition to the older ranks successfully in 2008.
The smooth-striding daughter of Kaisy Dream - Crystas Image entered the season for the ownership group of legendary horseman Jean Pierre Dubois and finished a strong second in her second outing on May 25 at Mohawk Racetrack against male rivals.
Next was a runner-up finish in an $84,116 leg of The Classic Series on May 31 at Mohawk and then she turned in another solid second-place finish against the WEG circuit's best older trotters in a $47,000 Open on June 30.
Driver Luc Ouellette took over the reins for the Breeders Crown Eliminations on August 22 at Mohawk and promptly guided Brigham Dream to her first win of the campaign, a 1:54 clocking. The pair teamed up again the following week to win the $266,075 Breeders Crown Final in 1:53.2.
Subsequently, the mare was sold to LLC Deo Volente Farms of Flemington, New Jersey and moved into the barn of trainer Trond Smedshammer for her final two starts of the year.
Ouellette retained the drive and guided Brigham Dream to a runner-up finish in the $85,000 Allerage Farms Final on October 4 at Lexington's Red Mile. A productive 2008 season boosted her career bankroll to more than $635,000.
FALLS FOR YOU - Falls For You made her presence felt all season long against North America's best older female trotters.
Conditioned by trotting specialist Trond Smedshammer, the daughter of Yankee Glide - Armbro Niagara was another who proved herself against older male rivals when she finished a strong second in just her second start of the season in a $40,000 Open event at Chester Downs.
Her biggest win of the year came on Canadian soil when she captured the $361,225 Armbro Flight Final at Mohawk on June 28 for catch-driver Mark MacDonald in 1:53.4.
Two starts later, Falls For You took her lifetime mark of 1:52.2 in winning an $85,000 leg of The Classic Series on July 19 at The Meadowlands with regular driver Brian Sears back in tow.
Sears guided the mare to her most dominant win of the season on August 15 at Vernon Downs when she trotted to a commanding seven length 1:53.1 victory in the $133,000 Conway Hall.
Before the season was out, Falls For You would join racing's exclusive millionaire's club.