"Of course it was really heartbreaking, I didn't know what to expect...and it didn't look good. But it was a clean break and it's just amazing how good he healed up."
Two years ago the connections of Always B Miki were forced to scratch the then three-year-old colt pacer from the 2014 Breeders Crown Final due to injury. After having four screws placed in his left hind long pastern, he recovered only to incur the same injury in the opposite leg. Two surgeries and eight screws later, Always B Miki is the world's fastest Standardbred.
"I made the statement the week before that we're going to go for the world record if the weather permitted and I knew this horse would do it day, I had that feeling."
Always B Miki returns to The Meadowlands on Friday night for the $421,000 2016 Breeders Crown Open Pace. He heads to the gate against his arch nemesis Wiggle It Jiggleit, whose connections paid a supplemental entry fee to race him on Friday.
One of four Breeders Crown events slated for the Meadowlands Racetrack on Friday (October 28), the Breeders Crown Open Pace will be featured in a one-hour live broadcast on SNY (Sportsnet New York) from 9-10:00 p.m. (EDT).
The 6-5 morning line favourite, Always B Miki leaves from post four for Takter and driver David Miller. The leading trainer in Breeders Crown history with 27 trophies, Takter places Always B Miki among the top horses he's conditioned.
"I just love this horse. We've had so many good horses and you compare them but personality, everything about Moni Maker and 'Miki', they are the same kind of horses...they love to win, they take care of themselves, they have lots of things that are similar. They're both very big horses, and powerful, and they really don't disappoint you."
The following video feature on Always B Miki will air on SNY during the Breeders Crown broadcast.
The complete field for the $421,000 Breeders Crown Open Pace, slated as
Race 7 with an approximate post time of 9:35 p.m., appears below.
(Post Position, Horse, Driver, Trainer, Morning Line)
1. Split The House – Brian Sears – Chris Oakes – 25-1
2. Shamballa – Scott Zeron – Rick Zeron – 8-1
3. Mach It So – Tim Tetrick – Jeff Bamond – 20-1
4. Always B Miki – David Miller – Jimmy Takter – 6-5
5. Dealt A Winner – Andy Miller – Mark Silva – 15-1
6. All Bets Off – Matt Kakaley – Ron Burke – 15-1
7. Wiggle It Jiggleit – Montrell Teague – Clyde Francis – 8-5
8. Luck Be Withyou – Brett Miller – Chris Oakes – 12-1
9. Melmerby Beach – Yannick Gingras – Ettore Annunziata – 40-1
10. Americanprimetime – Andrew McCarthy – Rick Dane – 40-1