Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Restive Hanover A Perfect Ten for the Miller Brothers
October 26, 2004

Erv Miller and his brother, Andy, haven't had many chances to win a Breeders Crown title.

The two made the most of their opportunity Saturday night, however, when Restive Hanover scored a mild upset in winning the race for two-year-old filly pacers. Starting from post 10, Restive Hanover paced nearly the entire mile parked on the outside, but got live cover from Fast Ruffles and was able to swing three-wide off the final turn en route to the win.

It was Erv Miller's first Crown title in two lifetime starts in the finals and Andy Miller's first win in six races.

"It's so great when you get to work together with your family and things work out as planned," Andy Miller said. "It's extra special to win my first one with Erv, and I hope we win a lot more."

Erv Miller, who ranks third among all trainers in North America with 253 wins, said the victory was "awesome."

"What a great horse this is," he said. "Who says you can't win from the 10 hole? It ended up that Andy got a perfect trip. She's just one game filly and Andy drove her perfectly. It's great to have your brother to work with like this. He drives 90 percent of my horses in the big-time events. I hope you see us a lot more in the Crown winner's circle."

Restive Hanover is not eligible to the upcoming American-National at Balmoral Park near Chicago, but Erv Miller said he plans on supplementing the filly to the race. Restive Hanover has won seven of 11 starts and earned $388,407 for owners Starmaker Farm and Dr. Anthony McEldowney, both of Kentucky.

Both Starmaker Farm, a relatively new business run by Brent Tartar, and McEldowney, an orthopedic surgeon, were making their first Breeders Crown starts. Restive Hanover, in fact, is McEldowney's first and only horse. He was the doctor to Mike Polston, who is Starmaker Farm's general manager.

"We were talking to Dr. McEldowney about our dreams and aspirations for the farm," Tartar said. "He told us he had a little bit of money and that if we found the right horse he would get involved with us. Lo and behold, we kind of hit the jackpot here. I've told him this isn't always the case, for sure. He kept telling us that he had good beginner's luck, some of his Irish luck."

In addition to the American-National, Restive Hanover has the Three Diamonds at the Meadowlands remaining on her schedule.