'Veteran' rallies to win Matron

CARENCRO, La. - Veteran Due to Win took advantage of a quick pace set by favorite Southern Surprise and rallied strongly down the stretch to capture the Matron Handicap on Saturday night. Longshot Native Brick also turned in a late run to finish second followed by Miss Confusion with Southern Surprise fading to finish fourth.

Francisco Torres settled patiently well off the quick early fractions set by Southern Surprise of :22.75 and :45.94. Beginning to move after a three quarter split of 1:10.81, Torres went to work on Due to Win ($8.20) while well out in the strip and the 9-year-old daughter closed with a rush to be a length and a half clear at the end in a time of 1:39.54 for the one mile distance.

The winner is owned by trainer Howard Scarberry and his wife Penny and improved on the second place finish she had in this race last year. It was her 12th win from 83 starts and she has now earned just over $448,000.