Introduced on Oct. 8, 2006, as the first main event presented by Attractions Hippiques, the Rendez-Vous des Champions invitation pace is becoming an annual showcase for some of the best older pacers competing in North America.

This year, the race will be held Oct. 21 and the purse has been boosted to $100,000.

The initial Rendez-Vous des Champions was captured " the grey gladiator, " Admirals Express, driven by Paul Macdonell. A mile in 1 :50.3 in his Montreal debut earned the 10-year-old his 74th career victory and pushed his career earnings past $2 million.

For the second running, race organizers have been hard at work lining up some of North America's most accomplished older pacers for another outstanding field.

Past winner

Potential starters in 2007

As of Oct. 2, six horses had accepted invitations to this year's race; Lis Mara, Zooka, Buckeye One, Power Park, With Anticipation and Kansas City Spur.

The presence of Lis Mara is a coup for race organizers. With $2.2 million earned and a mark of 1 :47.3, the son of Cambest is one of the fastest standardbreds ever and recently won the Canadian Pacing Derby for a second consecutive year.

Local hope Power Park won't be out of place. The star of trainer Jean Beaulieu's stable has 42 career victories and will soon be one of top 10 money-winning Quebec-breds..

With Anticipation this summer uncorked a 1 :47.2 mile at The Meadowlands while Buckeye One, with a mark of 1:48.1, and Zooka, with a career best of 1:49.3, both are poised to top $1 million in career winnings.

Mister Big, a 1:47.4 winner this season, is another potential starter, though not yet confirmed. He was second to Artistic Fella in the Breeders' Crown.

It has the makings of a memorable confrontation.