East Rutherford, NJ — On Saturday (Nov. 21), a filly defended her crown while a gelding of regal blood scored in Fall Final Four action at The Meadowlands.

Anoka Hanover wins the Goldsmith Maid on Saturday evening at The Meadowlands. Lisa photo.

Anoka Hanover won the $451,800 Goldsmith Maid for freshman trotting fillies which was sponsored by Hunterton Farms. Todd McCarthy drove the Noel Daley-trained filly to victory in 1:53.2. The Kindergarten Classic champion scored her seventh straight win of the season and her 10th win in 14 starts.

Beautiful Game was rushed to the front entering the first turn but settled for the pocket to a :28.1 opening quarter as Insta Glam cruised to the lead. Race favorite Anoka Hanover, from the pylon post, protected position to race third, and stayed put at the pegs while Insta Glam sped to a :55.4 half. On the far turn with the Breeders Crown champ Lady Chaos ranging uncovered, McCarthy moved his charge for the leader.

Insta Glam began to feel the pressure of Anoka Hanover’s strong strides past three-quarters in 1:23.3 while Lady Chaos spun her wheels and gapped cover. Into the stretch, Anoka Hanover drew away from the field to score easily by 2-1/4 lengths. Soaring up the inside came Flawless Country, who finished second, passing Beautiful Game, third, and Wet My Whistle, fourth.

Daley co-owns the daughter of Donato Hanover—Aunt Mel along with LA Express Stable LLC and Caviart Farms.

“She’s been phenomenal,” McCarthy said. “Noel’s done an unbelievable job managing her. The success we’ve had with her has been a dream come true for me. She’s been getting better and better all the time. I love her attitude; she wants to do the job every time.”

Buck Chaffee of Caviart Farms said none of the connections thought Anoka Hanover was as classy as she has shown this season.

“She didn’t look great as a baby,” he said. “We didn’t know she was good until she started racing. As owners we’re happy. This is one of those pleasant surprises.”

As the public’s choice, Anoka Hanover paid $2.80 to win.

Bee Forever collects his first stakes victory in the Valley Victory at The Meadowlands on Saturday evening. Lisa photo.

Bee Forever, with Victor Kirby at the reins, pulled off an upset in the $398,650 Valley Victory for freshman trotting colts and geldings which was sponsored by Kentuckiana Farms by closing confidently to win in 1:54.

Bee Forever was in no rush to leave, settling in ninth as Dees Red Delicous, favorite On A Streak, and Incommunicado stepped quickly off the gate. Incommunicado grabbed the top spot, but gave way past a :27.4 first quarter as Dees Red Delicous strode to the front. On A Streak, positioned fourth, then made his move for the lead, cruising by Dees Red Delicous through a :55.4 half before bearing a first-over charge from Zenith Stride to the far turn. Zenith Stride kept the pressure on the leader to three-quarters in 1:25.1, but grew leg weary off the turn.

Storming three-wide from near last, Bee Forever found a clear path to aim at the finish line, and full of trot, Kirby did not have to urge the son of Muscle Hill—Bee A Magician to glide safely to victory by a neck. On A Streak held for second and Delayed Hanover followed to get third.

Richard “Nifty” Norman trains Bee Forever, who won his second race in nine starts.

“The first time I drove Bee Forever, Nifty told me the colt can trot really fast but he’s green and needs to be taught,” Kirby said. “Every week he got better.”

Kirby discussed Bee Forever’s Kindergarten final performance two weeks ago and explained he learned something about the colt in that race.

“If I shake free, he wins, so I knew if he gets open space it would work out,” he said.

Kirby feels there’s a lot more to come from Bee Forever.

“You’re going to hear from him next year,” he said.

Bee Forever paid $30.60 to win.