Meadowlands: Fire Start Hanover heads Norman's Fall Final Four team

It shouldn't come as a surprise that some trainers don't push 2-year-olds early in the season. Trainer Richard "Nifty" Norman took the easy road early, but that has paid off royally for Fire Start Hanover. The Breeders Crown winner landed the rail for Saturday's $323,600 Three Diamonds, one of the 'Final Four' for freshman at the Meadowlands.

Fire Start Hanover, after winning but one of her first four races, has strung together seven wins in her last eight starts and could be on the precipice of a divisional title if she can continue that form this Saturday.

"Yes, it's pretty much what we planned," said Norman about having Fire Start Hanover sharp towards year's end. "I think she has one more start in her, that's for sure."

Norman was happy to see Fire Start Hanover, with Dexter Dunn at the controls, land the pole position in the field of 11. "I think it's a good spot that will allow her to get away in the top five," said Norman.

Following her victory in the Breeders Crown at Harrah's Hoosier Park on October 30, Fire Start Hanover captured the Kindergarten final at The Meadowlands in handy fashion. Norman knows that Saturday's Three Diamonds will pose a much more strenuous test for his filly. "This is a strong group of fillies," Norman said.

One of those rivals is likely to be Notorious Pink, who landed post three after winning a prep race last weekend at The Meadowlands. The Tony Alagna-trained filly was clearly hindered after drawing post nine in the Breeders Crown but bounced back nicely last week. Tim Tetrick will guide her from post three.

Trainer Nancy Takter's JK Alwaysbalady (post 11) is the second foal from her former Horse of the Year JK She'salady. JK Alwaysbalady was a head shy of Fire Start Hanover finishing second in the Breeders Crown. She'll start right on her rivals back from the second-tier looking for her third win of the year.

Norman has starters in two of the other three Final Four events, with Jack Fire (post 5) and Bee Forever (post 7) hoping to finish in the money in the $398,650 Valley Victory for 2-year-old male trotters.

"Jack Fire is an overachiever," said Norman. "He's a bit on the small side but he's good gaited and very handy." Jack Fire has finished first or second in nine of his 12 starts as a freshman. A gelding by Cantab Hall, he enters the Valley Victory after a second-place finish in the Kindergarten Classic final.

Bee Forever is a horse that has somewhat surprised Norman this year. "Early on I wasn't that sure he was going to race this year," said Norman of the difficulty he had with the son of Muscle Hill. Given that Bee Forever's dam was former Horse of the Year Bee A Magician, Norman had to struggle with the ultimate cut. "It took some convincing," Norman said in regard to the decision to castrate Bee Forever.

Now months later, Bee Forever appears to be finding his groove. "I'd say he's improving with each start," said Norman. "I think if he got some room, he could have won the Kindergarten." Bee Forever finished third while climbing over horses late in the Kindergarten.

Still, Norman knows that the field for the Valley Victory may be a bit too talented given Breeders Crown champion On A Streak's (post 4) presence in the group. "I hope we can get a check with both of them," Norman said.

The trainer was a bit more optimistic of his chances for victory in the $451,800 Goldsmith Maid for juvenile trotting fillies. Beautiful Game (post 6) has finished first or second in eight of her 11 juvenile starts. "I don't know why she made a break in the Breeders Crown eliminations," Norman said. "Maybe it was a blessing in disguise." The blessing would be that Beautiful Game had time to freshen up and prepare for the Goldsmith Maid.

The Goldsmith Maid drew a talented field of 11 with Breeders Crown winner Lady Chaos landing post nine and the Kindergarten Classic winner Anoka Hanover starting from post one. Adding more depth to this group is Pennsylvania Sire Stakes champion Flawless Country (post 2) and Breeders Crown runner-up Mazzarati (post 11).

The Meadowlands Saturday program will also feature the TVG Finals in four divisions as well as the $371,900 Governor's Cup for rookie pacing colts. First post for the 13-race program is 7:15 p.m.