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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Harness racing trainer Richard “Nifty” Norman’s dynamic sophomore fillies Grace Hill and Fire Start Hanover put on a thrilling stretch duel, finishing one-two in Saturday’s (Oct. 23) $25,000 single elimination for the Breeders Crown 3-year-old filly pace at The Meadowlands. Todd McCarthy guided Grace Hill to a 1:50.3 score, gamely holding off her stablemate to prevail by a head.
Grace Hill left sharply for the front at the start, but yielded to Notorious Pink before making a regaining move for McCarthy past the :27.4 opening quarter. Fire Start Hanover overcame post 10 to settle in a spot on the first turn, and she was flushed without cover near the :56 opening half. Grace Hill and McCarthy hit the accelerator on the far turn, pacing a solid :27 third quarter while Fire Start Hanover made up ground and towed Blue Diamond Eyes behind her in second-over position.
Grace Hill tried to break away from her rivals, but the tenacious Fire Start Hanover, last year’s Breeders Crown juvenile champion, kept plodding away with driver Dexter Dunn’s encouragement and continued to close in on her stablemate. At the finish line, Grace Hill survived a three-filly photo with Fire Start Hanover to her outside and Blue Diamond Eyes a lane farther out but lapped on the top pair in third.
Grace Hill, a daughter of Always B Miki and Western Silk, won for the seventh time this season for owner Tom Hill and returned $4.00 as the public’s choice.
The single elimination put eight fillies into the final, with Notorious Pink, Think Of Galaxies, Mackie Hanover, Marsala Hanover and Shezafreaklikeme joining the top three finishers in advancing. Division leader Test Of Faith and Jugette champion Scarlett Hanover accepted byes and will join the finalists.
Grace Hill took a misstep in early stretch, but recovered quickly for McCarthy.
$600,000 Breeders Crown — 3-Year-Old Pacing Fillies
1. Notorious Pink By Captaintreacherous – She’s A Hot Mess – American Ideal (Andy McCarthy, Tony Alagna)
2. Marsala Hanover by Captaintreacherous – Marinade Hanover – Bettor’s Delight (Scott Zeron, Linda Toscano)
3. Think Of Galaxies by So Sureal – Lightning D Dube – Western Ideal (Mark MacDonald, John McDermott)
4. Shezafreaklikeme by Sweet Lou – Nf One Rose – Blissfull Hall (Andy Miller, Stacy Chiodo)
5. Grace Hill by Always B Miki – Western Silk – Western Terror (Todd McCarthy, Nifty Norman)
6. Mackie Hanover by Captaintreacherous – Miss Kitty Hanover – Western Hanover (Tim Tetrick, Tom Fanning)
7. Blue Diamond Eyes by Captaintreacherous – Aria Hanover – Well Said (Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke)
8. Test Of Faith by Art Major – Cannae Cammie – Cams Card Shark (David Miller, Brett Pelling)
9. Fire Start Hanover by Somebeachsomewhere – Fit To Frame – Art Major (Dexter Dunn, Nifty Norman)
10. Scarlett Hanover by Bettor’s Delight – Sammys Magic Girl – Western Hanover (Yannick Gingras, Ashleigh Hensley)
AE1. Paulas Bet Hanover by Betting Line – Paula’s Best – Pro Bono Best (Chris Page, Ron Burke)
AE2. Beach Crazy by Somebeachsomewhere – Crosswords Cupcake – Stand Forever (James MacDonald, Stacy Chiodo)
