Nifty Norman cruises in Belote Memorial final

Richard Macomber’s Nifty Norman completed a near sweep of the Hal Belote Memorial late-closing series with a dominant win in the 1 ¼-mile final Tuesday night at Colonial Downs. Nifty Norman finished fourth in the second leg but won the first and third legs by a combined 11 ¼ lengths to establish himself as the 1-5 favorite for the $12,800 Final.

Driver Sean Bier was content to let Nifty Norman settle into fourth as the field raced around the first turn. Oh Gee Whiz sped out to the early lead through an opening quarter in :29 flat. Bier sent Nifty Norman to the lead as the field straightened down the long Colonial backstretch, taking command after a half in :58.3.

Nifty Norman raced unchallenged into the turn, getting the three-quarter fraction in 1:27.4 as Oh Gee Whiz was content to race in second and Boy Blue followed in third. 

Nifty Norman turned for home with a 1 ¼-length lead after a mile in 1:55.4 and the 7-year-old Grinfromeartoear gelding quickly proved to have another gear in him, drawing away from Oh Gee Wiz in upper stretch.

Rare Filly closed well from fifth but proved no match for Nifty Norman’s :27.2 final quarter as the favorite cruised to a 2 ½-length win over Rare Filly in 2:23.1. Oh Gee Wiz held well for third.

The Belote final was Nifty Norman’s 10th win of the season and 23rd lifetime for owner-trainer Macomber. (Colonial Downs)

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