Nordic De Vie, driven by Randy Waples, used a ground saving trip to capture the $60,000 Autumn Stakes final for sophomore trotting fillies
Thursday evening at Woodbine.
The odds-on favourite, Pretty Crafty (Mario Baillargeon), overtook the lead from Ashlake (Chris Christoforou) after the opening panel in :29.2. Nordic De Vie was forwardly placed, sitting third, with Third Copy (Paul MacDonell) fourth.
Pretty Crafty would lead her nine rivals past the mid-way point in :59.
Heading around the final turn, Pretty Crafty was still in command, but Waples angled Nordic De Vie off the rail and was within striking distance of the tempo-setter past three-quarters in 1:28.2.
Turning for home, Nordic De Vie overtook the lead and held off all challengers to seal the victory for trainer Torgeir Hagmann in 1:59.4. Ashlake came on for second with Pretty Crafty fading to third.
“I knew she was going to be better this week than last,” Waples said following the win. “Last week she had a pus pocket to deal with, but that got looked after and it showed here tonight. Turning for home, I was happy where I was and I was pretty confident I was the winner.”
Nordic De Vie celebrated her biggest victory of her young career as her lifetime earnings lifted to $108,520 for owner Kjell Magne Andersen. The daughter of Angus Hall-Nordicdish now boasts a career record of 4-1-4 from 19 starts. She paid $9.60 for the win.
For the charts from Thursday's card of of harness racing at Woodbine, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.