by Greg Blanchard, WEG media

Campbellville, ON — Dreamfair Eternal turned in another ‘tour de force’ in winning Saturday’s (July 17) lone C$50,000 elimination for the Roses Are Red Stakes for older pacing mares at Mohawk Racetrack.

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Dreamfair Eternal was a 1:51.2 winner in the Roses Are Red elimination.

The daughter of Camluck–JCs Nathalie quickly overcame the obstacle of post nine with a sharp leaving move for driver Randy Waples and tucked in fourth through an opening panel of :27.1 which was put up by Tug River Princess.

That world champion daughter of Badlands Hanover continued on top past the half in :55.4 with Ginger And Fred drafting closely behind in the pocket position. That’s when Waples brought Dreamfair Eternal out from fourth to go on the attack.

Tug River Princess continued to hold the upper hand at the three-quarters in 1:24 as Dreamfair Eternal moved up to her wheel. Meanwhile, Ginger And Fred was live along the inside and waiting for racing room.

Just as it looked like Tug River Princess might hold on, Dreamfair Eternal, as she’s done so many times in her career, found another gear when it counted and came past for the measured win in 1:51.2. Tug River Princess held the place spot over an onrushing Ginger And Fred who shook loose too late.

“It worked out really well, she left a little bit tonight and there was a big opening there for me,” explained Waples, who, earlier in the night, captured the Maple Leaf Trot elimination with San Pail. “She got to follow until going into the last turn. That’s the trip she likes. She likes to hunt other horses. It seems like every week ‘Eternal’ comes to play.

“As long as she comes out of this race good and healthy, now that we don’t have to worry about post position, she’ll make a good account of herself (in next week’s final).”

The victory was the eighth in 10 starts this season for Dreamfair Eternal who is trained by Pat Fletcher for owner John Lamers. She surpassed the C$1 million mark in her prior start which was a win in the Masters Series at Georgian Downs.

Dreamfair Eternal had the option of a bye straight to the final, but the connections opted to race instead and, by virtue of her win, they got to choose their post for the final. She will start from post four in the C$376,000 contest next Saturday night.

Accepting byes into the final were To Helen Back, Shanghai Lil and APs Money Maker.

Here is a look at the entire field for next weekend’s Roses Are Red Stakes final in post position order: 1. Shanghai Lil; 2. Ginger And Fred; 3. A Ps Money Maker; 4. Dreamfair Eternal; 5. Arts Diva; 6. Tug River Princess; 7. Miss Scarlett; 8. Chaney Lady; 9. Up Front Kellie Jo; 10. To Helen Back.