Paper Cut scored by a razor-thin margin in capturing Friday's $48,600 Ontario Sired Autumn Series Final for three-year-old pacing fillies at Woodbine Racetrack.
The victory followed up on her elimination win a week earlier in which she swept the field from 10th to first for the tally.
With Phil Hudon at the controls on Friday night, the daughter of Northern Luck - Paper Bright, left well from post three and got situated in fourth position during the first quarter of :26.4 which was put up by last week's other elimination winner Awesum Best.
The leader continued on top through a :56.3 half before encountering pressure from a first-over Docdor Cam (Jody Jamieson). Hudon followed the cover with his charge and was perfectly spotted second over as the field reached the third panel in 1:24.2.
Awesum Best (Rick Zeron) remained determined on the lead and opened up slightly as the field turned for home. At that point, Hudon sent his filly three-wide in pursuit. The final result was in doubt right until the last stride when Paper Cut surged by for the hard-fought nose decision over Awesum Best.
Onehotvett (Jack Moiseyev) finished a close third. The winner returned $7.50.
The 1:53.1 clocking was a lifetime best for Paper Cut who came into the care of trainer Brian Lee just prior to last week's eliminations. The victory improved her seasonal total to four wins in 25 starts for owners William Andrew, George Rogers and Jim MacPhail of Calgary, Alberta.
The lion's share of the purse boosted her career earnings to just over $77,000.
In the $20,000 consolation, Nika used a :29 final frame to prevail by two lengths in a new mark of 1:54.3 ahead of the favoured Elizamotion (Roger Mayotte) and Northern Pandora (Jack Moiseyev).
The 27-1 longshot, who was guided to victory by Jason Brewer, scored her first win of the season and fourth of her career bumping her earnings to $68,790. John Rier trains and co-owns the daughter of Bo Knows Jate with Randy Rier of Hanover, Ont.
To view Friday's results, click here.
(With files from WEG)