Early on, Hannah Miller was given the apropos nickname “Hurricane Hannah” because she has taken amateur racing by storm; and nothing could be more accurate.
Not only did the 24-year-old lady cop the Yonkers Raceway leg of the Italy-USA Friendship Competition (sponsored by NAADA) on Thursday evening, earlier in the day she won two amateur races at Monticello Raceway.
“This is my best day so far,“ Miller admitted. “Three races and three wins, it doesn’t get much better than that.”
At Yonkers Raceway, up behind PCs Wildcard owned by fellow amateur Joe Pennacchio, Hannah caught a break when the pacer drew the pole position after having started from outside positions in his recent races.
Sent off as the betting favourite in the race, Hannah set sails right from the get-go and guided her pacer to the front.
“I caught a break when Mr. (Raphael) Ruffato (with second choice Home Turf) pulled the two-hole as we headed toward the (first) quarter,” Hannah said. “I was lucky to get away with soft early fractions but when Mr. Ruffato came at me strong at the half I left my horse go with him and we went a steppy third quarter. But with him parked the whole way his horse tired and those in the rears had to first go around him to get at me.”
At the three quarters PCs Wildcard had two lengths on the field which was opened to three at the top of the stretch. In the lane Miller’s charge cruised home an easy 4-1/4 length winner. Second place went to Sugar Queen Gabby driven by Giancarlo Moretti, who, by the way, won a Friendship Competition race yesterday at Monticello Raceway. NAADA president Joe Faraldo finished third with Whatnblazes.
PCs Wildcard, owned by Joe P Racing and trained by Dan Altman, paid $4.20 for win. It was the third seasonal victory for the seven-year-old pacer. And for Hannah Miller, she now has 27 driving victories thus far this year.
On August 29 “Hurricane Hannah” will head to Budapest, Hungary to represent the United States in this year’s World Cup of Amateur Racing.
On the prowess of the American team finishing first, third, fourth and fifth here at Yonkers Raceway they will take a fairly substantial lead (71-55) into the final events of the Friendship Competition at Tioga Downs on Friday where four different drivers will represent the USA.
(NAADA)