With other drivers named "Miller" campaigning in the sulky regularly in eastern Pennsylvania, such as Hall of Famer David, Andy, and Brett (combined lifetime win total of 26,618), it might be easy to overlook 26-year-old Marcus Miller as a talented driver who brings in more than his share of longshots, as he proved again Friday night at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.
Marcus rallied Envious Hanover ($68.40) from last to take the $30,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace.
Miller was actually in the pocket the first quarter with the daughter of Western Ideal, as inside-to-out Twin B Elite, Giannas Delight, and Request For Parole were three-across arguing the :26.1 opener. Request For Parole finally made the front and put down a "moderate for Pocono" :56 middle half, with Miller and Envious Hanover first staying in and then backing out to follow first-up Scandalicious.
Sixth and last, four lengths back, swinging for home, Envious Hanover improved her position wide, but was still fourth with 100 feet to go; however, her late jet carried her to a nose decision over Giannas Delight, rallying from the pocket, with Scandalicious holding gamely for third in the 1:50.1 mile. Brandon Todd trains the winner for A Piece Of The Action LLC.
The victory was the fourth of the meet with a horse paying $50 or more for Marcus Miller; no other driver has more than two. In 2014, he was the only driver to have two horses pay $100 or more at Pocono, and at Philly he had the longest-priced winner of the meet in $158.60 Boozy Suzy.
The fans should be catching on to Marcus Miller soon.
(With files from PHHA / Pocono)