by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

The Swedish trotter Noras Bean, driven by Stefan Söderkvist, was in a class of his own on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 11) at San Siro, Milan, as he won the prestigious Gran Premio delle Nazioni over the 1-5/16th mile distance very easily.

Gerard Forni photo

Noras Bean was a winner in a mile rate of 1:56.

Noras Bean had to start from the second tier behind the gate, but he swept the field going around the last bend to win in 1:56f (mile rate). Second was the Italian trotter Leben RL, driven by Santo Mollo.

The purse for the winner was $165,000.

Noras Bean, who is trained by Ulf Stenströmer, is a 7-year-old trotter sired by Super Arnie and out of a Songcan mare.

He has won more than $1.3 million and has a mark of 1:54.2f.