Canada's reigning Horse of the Year, Dreamfair Eternal, wore down late season sensation Rebeka Bayama in the final strides to steal the glory in this week's edition of the $42,000 Fillies & Mares Open Pace at Woodbine Racetrack
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Dreamfair Eternal, who missed the mark by just three-quarters of a length last time out, got the job done Friday night with her coveted off-the-pace tactics. The Post 7 starter settled into eighth place in the full 10-horse field early on with Chris Christoforou at the controls while Warrawee Koine (Anthony MacDonald) worked her way to the top from post position eight. Warrawee Koine took the lead over Carolines Cullen N (Doug McNair) during the :26.3 opening quarter with outside starters Rev Me Up (Rick Zeron) and Rebeka Bayama (Sylvain Filion) parked out.
As the mares straightened up down the backstretch, Rev Me Up swept to command with 3-2 favourite Rebeka Bayama hot on her heels. Rebeka Bayama, winner of her last eight of 10 races this year, then advanced to the top, clearing at the :55.2 half-mile mark. She fronted the field through three-quarters in 1:24.1 while Dreamfair Eternal launched her attack from the backfield.
Rebeka Bayama led the field into the stretch with Dreamfair Eternal looming on the outside and beginning to pick up the pace midway down the lane. She dug in to collar the favourite at the wire in 1:52.1. Camille (Jason Brewer) followed the winner's cover to finish third, one and a half length behind. Early trailer Bullet Point (Keith Oliver) came on for fourth while Carolines Cullen N edged out Rev Me Up for fifth.
The seven-year-old homebred daughter of Camluck and J Cs Nathalie, trained by Pat Fletcher and owned by Ingersoll's John Lamers, earned her first victory since winning her Milton Stakes elimination in a dead-heat on Sept. 17 at Mohawk Racetrack. Some of her earlier successes this year include winning The Ellamony, Masters Stakes, Roses Are Red, Lady Liberty and Golden Girl. The double millionaire is now eight-for-21 on the year with $688,755 earned.
Dreamfair Eternal was one of Friday's Bet Canadian campaign picks and paid $6.60 to win as the 2-1 second choice.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.