"I'm the happiest person here."
Such was the post-race assessment by driver Marcus Miller, who made a winning Yonkers Raceway debut Monday night.
Miller went the distance with odds-on favourite Domethatagain ($2.90) in the $19,000, seventh-race pace. The three-year-old statebred son of Bettors Delight aired by five and a half lengths, negotiating the 'sloppy' surface in 1:53.1. Domethatgain is co-owned by Mystical Marker Farms, Peggy Hood and Mary Jane Anderson and trained by Miller's father, Erv.
It's the family connection which had the younger Miller pay a visit from his Chicagoland base, though Westchester was not originally part of the itinerary.
"I had planned to visit my family, because I hadn't seen their new farm (in Wind Gap, Pennsylvania)," Marcus said.
"As it turned out, Brent (Holland), who had been driving both of dad's horses that raced tonight, began a suspension, so dad asked me to drive them."
"I knew Domethatagain is a talented colt, but, honestly, I was just hoping to get around there safe."
"I'd never been [to Yonkers] before, and I'm glad I was here tonight. It paid for my plane ticket."
Miller’s other drive wasn’t quite as memorable, as he broke in the second turn with Back To The West and finished last in $19,000, 12th-race pace.
The 23-year-old Miller, who ranks second (to Mike Oosting) in wins at both Balmoral and Maywood, has made a name for himself the past four seasons. His career totals of more than 1,600 wins and $10 million in purses include personal bests in those categories of 501 and just over $3 million, both set in 2011.
His 368 wins thus far in 2012 place him 13th in North America.
Also of note Monday night were the five wins --- including four in a row --- by one Brian Sears.
(Yonkers Raceway)