Trainer Gene Miller had about as good a day as you possibly can at Running Aces on Saturday (Aug. 15), sweeping both features and picking up a total of three wins from all three of his starters.
At 76-years-young, Miller is still going strong and running a successful racing stable, and he is no stranger to winning. That is an understatement; from 4,110 training starts, he has posted 744 wins and has hit the board 1,987 times for an impressive top-three percentage of 48.35.
Today's success story started for Miller in one of the featured events: the $15,000 Minnesota-Sired Sophomore pace, sending Bunkerhill Phil, a horse he owns and bred. The gelded son of Vlos dominated last season as the two-year-old state champion, but has had a tough opponent this season in Its A Marcs World who had won five out of six matchups against Bunkerhill Phil.
Driver Braxten Boyd was aggressive off the gate with Bunkerhill Phil and served immediate notice that they wanted and would get the front from post 3. There were plenty of other leavers as Dubberyoo, Nothinbutagoodtime and Get My Good Side all left quickly. With all of that speed, Its A Marcs World did not fire off of the gate as usual. The opening quarter was up in :27.
Boyd took full advantage of the front by sneaking a :30.4 breather in the second panel before stepping on the gas moving to three-quarters in 1:26.2 with Dubberyoo applying mild pressure from first-over and Its A Marcs World having to maneuver around poor cover as they turned for home.
Bunkerhill Phil ($19.60) had pace in reserve off of a perfect drive that kept his biggest rival just out of reach. Its A Marcs World came wide off of the turn and then ducked inside with a ton of late pace but could not get to Bunkerhill Phil, who prevailed by a head in a career-best 1:54.2 mile. Nothinbutagoodtime was home third.
Miller again teamed up with Braxten Boyd as they sent out Trump Train, in search of his first win of the season in a $3,800 conditioned-claiming pace. After getting away third from post 4, Boyd sent Trump Train first-over before the half and wore down the leaders as they headed into the final turn, taking control and holding off a late rally from Too Much Too Quick in 1:57. Trump Train ($4.00) is owned by Wolfswinkel Pacers.
The $10,000 Horses & Geldings Open Handicap Pace was up next for Miller. He sent another starter for Wolfswinkel Pacers in the eight-year-old Up Front Brad gelding Whatchyastarinat with Mooney Svendsen in the bike.
Race-favourite Hoo Nien A made all the fractions on the front while Svendsen settled away fourth from post 3, saving ground throughout the mile and finding room in the passing lane late to sweep by a stacked field on the wire. He grabbed the victory in 1:53 for his second win of the year and a seasonal mark. It was the 26th win for Whatchyastarinat ($42.80), who has now earned $220,469.
Miller with his three training wins, Wolfswinkel Pacers with two wins and Boyd with his driving double were the only multiple race winners on the day.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (Aug. 16) with first post at 1:00 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a Carryover in the 50-cent Hi-5 wager of $2,727.60.
(Running Aces)