Although she has been the scourge of the amateur driving ranks this season, Hannah Miller scored her first driving double and it came in back-to-back races on Thursday’s card at Monticello Raceway.
Miller won a Catskill Amateur Drivers Series pace with Rise Above It in a 1:57 clocking and came right back in the next race and drove trotter Casanova Lindy to 2:00 triumph in a leg of the North American Amateur Drivers Association's spring trotting series.
Her victory with Rise Above It came from a three-hole journey to the backside and then moving to the lead nearing the third quarter before drawing off to an oh-so-easy 10- length triumph. And interestingly, the exacta in that contest belonged to the ladies when Dr. Jennifer Lowrey finished second with Logans Dragon. Third place went to Minnesota Hanover driven by Matt Zuccarello.
“I planned on leaving strong but Jennifer’s horse left the gate the fastest so I ducked in a hole,” Miller said and added “it was a good thing since she led us by the (first) quarter in :28.4. “After a :58 (.1) half I had the strong horse and when I gave him his head he did the rest.”
Owned by Melvin Fink and Clifford Grundy and trained by Nick Surick, Rise Above It paid just $2.10 for win. And this race marked another first for the 23-year-old Miller when her horse was eliminated from the show wagering pool.
Miller also had the favourite in the next race, a NAADA Trot, when the betting public sent Casanova Lady off as a 4-10 favourite.
After starting from the six-hole Miller aimed her charge toward the front end and took command prior to reaching the first stanza. From there Casanova Lindy trotted by the half in 1:00 and then rambled through even 30-second quarters to a three-length 2:00 triumph over Chuckie B and driver Alan Schwartz even though Schwartz had his trotter tight on Miller’s back until Casanova Lindy drew off in mid-stretch. Third place went to Samsawinner driven by New York Yankee assistant equipment manager, Joe Lee.
“I feel so great,” Miller said after her second victory on the card. “I’ve been pretty lucky when it comes to winning races this year but having my first driving double is special.”
Casanova Lindy, owned by Ms. Miller, the Nick Surick Stable and the Erv Miller Stable, and trained by Surick The winner paid $2.40.
(NAADA)