Winning rally for Restive

For the second straight year Loyal Opposition was the betting favorite to win the Cape & Cutter, but once again a victory eluded the 2005 Dan Patch Pacing Mare of the Year. This time Restive Hanover, her stablemate, captured the $100,000 race, using a second-over trip behind Loyal Opposition to win by 2 ¼ lengths in 1:51.4.



Although George Brennan drove Loyal Opposition to most of her $673,525 in earnings last season, Andy Miller, the brother of the mare's trainer (Erv Miller), was in the sulky this time. They started from post eight and dropped in at the pylons behind yet another stablemate, the Brennan-driven Young's Tower, in the first turn.



Burning Point started from post seven and her driver, Brian Sears, quickly took control of the race, reaching the first quarter in a quick :26.3. Sears backed the half down to :56 before Loyal Opposition paced up to challenge.



The race remained a two-horse battle between Loyal Opposition and Burning Point, the two top pacing mares of the 2005 season, until Restive Hanover swept by them late in the stretch drive to win for the fifth time in seven starts this season. Loyal Opposition took second while Burning Point held on for third.



Restive Hanover suffered a broken bone early last year and did not make it back to the track until later in the season. She won the Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Filly Pace in 2004. Her $50,000 winner's purse from the Cape & Cutter boosted her career earnings to over $600,000.

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