Im A Skoldier delivered on his 1-5 pari-mutuel promise over stablemate Overtheedgeofhonor in the $17,708 Open II Handicap Pace at Running Aces on Tuesday, Aug. 5, capping off a big night for the Elson Miller stable.
Driver Josiah Miller left the gate alertly with Elson Miller trainee Im A Skoldier in the Open and went to the front before yielding to stablemate Overtheedgeofhonor (Scott Cisco) and then re-taking the top right at the quarter-mile. which was clocked in :28.3.
PD The Big Easy (Brandon Jenson) brushed to the front near the three-eighths marker and led through the middle stages in :56.1 and 1:24.4 before Overtheedgeofhonor launched another attack and Dont Judge A Book (Billy Mann) got rolling with second-over position.
Overtheedgeofhonor took command as they rounded for home while PD The Bog Easy threw in the towel and Im A Skoldier shook free for a stretch rally. The stablemates battled through the final sixteenth of a mile and it was Im A Skoldier who surged by in the final yards to get home one length in front of Overtheedgeofhonor in 1:52.4. Dont Judge A Book rounded out the top three.
Im A Skoldier paid $2.60 to win as the overwhelming favourite. The five-year-old Wind Me Up-Sweet Love Roknrol gelding is owned by Elson Miller and Jana Rucker. He now has three wins this season in nine starts and 20 career wins with total earnings topping $250,000.
Team Miller had a big night as 18-year-old Josiah posted his first career driving grand slam and Elson led all trainers with three wins on the eight-race program. The other successful starters from the Miller stable were Always Andrew ($14.40) and Beach Forecast ($10.60), with Josiah driving an additional winner in Sullenberger ($6.20) for trainer Ariel Alvarez.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday, Aug. 7 with a nine-race program that will include a carryover in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager of $10,704.83.
(With files from Running Aces)