Northernette, who was bred by E. P. Taylor, was among the best Canadian-bred race fillies ever raised in this country. The daughter of Northern Dancer and South Ocean was purchased for $50,000 at the Saratoga Yearling Sales by Syl Asadoorian and was out of the money only six times in 33 starts.

Trained by Jerry Meyer, she didn’t blossom until the autumn of her 2-year-old year when she won the Mazarine, then was runner- up in the important Princess Elizabeth Stakes. She was voted a Sovereign Award as the champion of her division. In 1977, at age three, Northernette galloped to an 11-length victory in the Canadian Oaks. On a sloppy track in the Queen’s Plate she was caught in the final 70 yards by Sound Reason, losing by a half length. She came back to win the Selene Stakes in track-record time. Northernette followed with second-place finishes in the Bison City at Fort Erie and the Test at Saratoga and experienced traffic problems while moving into contention and finished fifth in the Alabama Stakes.

Asadoorian and his partner, Sam Cosentino, then sold a controlling interest in Northernette to Connecticut businessman Peter Brant, who shipped the filly to trainer Frank Whitely in New York. She went on to win the Chrysanthemum at Laurel, and lost the Firenze at Aqueduct by a nose. She was voted Canada’s champion filly again. At four Northernette won The Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park, Ark., then took the Gr.1 Top Flight at Aqueduct. In the final race of her career, the Gr. 1 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland, Ky., Northernette was a strong second while conceding four pounds to 3-year-old filly champion Tempest Queen.