Dover: Norman pupils finish 1-2 in Matron for 2YO pacing fillies

Joyride Hanover topped a Nifty Norman-trained exacta in the $145,100 Matron final for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Thursday night at Dover Downs.

Driver Tim Tetrick planted Joyride Hanover on the lead from post two and forced Galleria Hanover (Yannick Gingras) into the pocket before the 27 2/5 opening quarter. Joyride Hanover then backed down the tempo to 56 seconds at the half before she picked it up again to 1:23 2/5 at three-quarters to repel a first-over try by A Girl That Twirls (Brian Sears).

On the final bend Joyride Hanover kicked away from the rest of the fillies, and she would go on to win by three lengths in 1:52 flat. Shipnstrol Hanover (David Miller) got around an incident on the last turn and was up for second, and Frantasy Hanover (Corey Callahan) came in third after a second-over trip.

"If I had to, I might have followed Brian's horse, but I either wanted to cut it or be up close," remarked Tetrick. "She raced really well in Canada. I think if she gets out a little sooner in the [She's A Great Lady] elimination, she might have even been closer to Niki Hill. She's been chasing the good ones, and she deserves to get in a Grade A-1.

"She's quick off the car, and she settled good today. When I got the second quarter breather, I thought it was going to be pretty hard to beat her."

Norman trains Joyride Hanover, a daughter of American Ideal, for owner Eric Good. Joyride Hanover, who was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and fetched $105,000 at last year's Standardbred Horse Sale, has a record of 3-3-3 from ten attempts, has now put away $181,362, and paid $5.20 to win as the second choice. She's out of the Somebeachsomewhere mare JK Higher Power, a full sister to 1:48 performer Highalator and 1:48 1/5 winner South Beach Star.

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"I actually got her from Eddie Dennis. He sent her up to me in Canada to race up there, and Eric was kind enough to leave with me after that," said Norman. "Like Timmy said, she's been good all year. Tonight, she got a good draw, and he ended up where he wanted to be. She was good and strong finishing. It's on to the Three Diamonds, and she seems like she's in good shape heading there.

"She's a really nice filly. She's very sound, and she's good to be around."