In what turned out to be a hotly contested event, Emanuel Miller went down the road and rebuffed all challengers while hustling Riverdancing Diva to a 1:57.4 victory in a prelim for the Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association (GLADA) Trot at Northfield Park on Saturday night (March 20th).
In a race where half of the field went for the lead when the wings of the mobile gate folded, Emanuel Miller gained command with the seven-year-old daughter of Jailhouse Jesse from the five-hole. On the point, wouldn't relinquish command despite challengers, whom were both two and three wide, as they headed to the first quarter in :28.4.
The betting favourite Back Door Man, driven by Floyd Rhodes, was persistent in his quest to gain the lead, and just kept going forward from post 7. Despite being parked three wide, Rhodes was relentless as he sought the front, circling Back Door Man from his second-over cover, provided by Ubangi, and took aim at the pacesetter as the half-mile timer flashed :58.3.
When the field passed the three-quarters in 1:27.3, Riverdancing Diva still showed the way. And when the field headed for home, Emanuel Miller's charge, despite being tired, reached down for more and kept a stubborn Back Door Man at bay to score a 1:57.4 victory. Mark Rocovich, who had a pocket trip along the pylons with Fort Commander, gained the show dough.
Riverdancing Diva is owned by Double Ee Meadows and trained by Mervin Schmucker. He paid $18.40 for win.
(GLADA)