by Greg Blanchard. WEG Media

Toronto, ON — Afternoon Dreams survived a dramatic three-horse photo to upend the boys and sweep Monday’s (Feb. 9) C$61,000 Don Mills Trotting Series Final for 4-year-olds at Woodbine Racetrack.

The victory improved her win streak to seven and kept her perfect in five outings this season.

New Image Media photo

Afternoon Dreams (#1) held off Sand Wyndham (#7) by a nose in the Don Mills Trotting Series Final.

In Monday’s contest, driver Mario Baillargeon left sharply with the daughter of Dream Vacation-Form Fitting from post six and was able to duck her in second behind early leader Sand Wyndham, who was also aiming for a series sweep.

The opening quarter flashed up in :27 and the top pair remained that way with First Notable Chip following in third through an opening half in :57. At that point, Andover’s Son made the first move out from fourth with John Paul’s Legacy following on his back.

Sand Wyndham continued to lead past the third quarter in 1:26.4 with Andover’s Son a length back on the outside in second and Afternoon Dreams sitting perfectly on the inside in third.

As the field turned for home, the first-over trip began to take its toll on Andover’s Son who backed away enough to leave a seam for Afternoon Dreams to tip to the outside. In the meantime, John Paul’s Legacy rolled three-wide in attempt to chase down the leaders.

The final outcome was in doubt right up until the final stride when Afternoon Dreams stuck her nose in front at the finish in 1:55.1. Sand Wyndham held on bravely for the place spot with John Paul’s Legacy finishing third and missing the win by just a head.

Ben Baillargeon does the conditioning of Afternoon Dreams when in Canada. The lion’s share of the purse boosted her career earnings to $160,482 for owners Sylvia Burke and Randy Ringer.

It is expected that the mare will now return to Pennsylvania for a much-deserved rest.

Earlier on Monday’s program, veteran trotter Armbro Chronicle captured the C$50,000 Open Trot for Mike Saftic in 1:53.1. The effort equaled the national season’s record for trotters but, more importantly, vaulted the 7-year-old gelding over the C$1 million mark in career earnings.