Matron to Restive Hanover

The 2005 Matron pacing divisions became an all Eric Ledford show as Restive Hanover, an outstanding 2-year-old last season but lightly raced this year due to an injury, closed strongly to win the $183,376 Matron Stakes Final for 3-year-old fillies by a neck in 1:53.4 Tuesday night at Dover Downs.



It was the second Matron pace won by Ledford. On Monday he drove 24-1 Roddy's Bags Again to victory in the $260,120 colt final.



At the start, Cabrini Hanover, with Brian Sears in the bike, rolled away from the starting gate from post eight to quickly take the lead and control the pace through fractions of :26.4, :56.2 and 1:25.1 at the three quarters.



On the backstretch, Jonathan Roberts charged up with Born Storyteller, an elim winner the previous week. Right behind was Ledford and Restive Hanover. Just as the field reached the three-quarters, Ledford eased Restive Hanover to the outside and raced alongside Cabrini Hanover around the final turn and halfway down the stretch before pulling to the front.



Race favorite Belovedangel, the Breeders Crown winner, streaked along the passing lane for Ron Pierce and closed on the leaders to take second while Cabrini Hanover held on for third.



Restive Hanover completed her sophomore stakes season with three wins, a second and three thirds in 11 starts. She has earned $179,606 this year for owner Starmaker Farm of Cynthiana, Ky.

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