Class came through in the eighth race at Scarborough Downs on Sunday as the venerable Soul Chaser graced the winner’s circle for the 53rd time in his illustrious career. The son of Kentucky Spur and career winner of over $680,000 ground out the hard earned victory in overland fashion as driver Drew Campbell pulled the aged campaigner first over prior to reaching the 3/8th marker. Toiling on the rim through a legitimate back-half of 58.3, the 10-year-old veteran refused to go away, seemingly willing himself to pass the wire on top in an ultra-gritty performance.

"He's perfect to work with, a perfect gentleman in the barn," said trainer Bo Sowers. "I hardly get to jog him because he's so easy to get along with. If anyone comes to the barn and wants to try jogging a horse for the first time, they jog Soul Chaser."

Accomplished performers like Soul Chaser invariably possess an uncanny awareness that they really are something special and develop certain habits in and around the stables that become unique to themselves.

"David MacDonald bought him in an on-line auction a month and a half ago and it didn't take us long to figure out he was a ham," Sowers continued. "He makes faces at everyone trying to get attention but what he really wants are Tim Horton's doughnuts. He's got a certified sweet tooth and he makes sure everybody knows it."

It's a pretty safe bet that Soul Chaser will be insisting on a pit stop at the doughnut shop on the trailer ride home. That's the sweet price for success and a reward well earned.