Second all-time in purses and sixth in wins - for Standardbred drivers in North America - David Miller has had one of the greatest driving careers in history… and coming off of his best year ever, purse-wise, it’s far from over. Miller is, however, a native Ohioan, and after two hectic decades of living on the eastern seaboard and travelling the Grand Circuit, the 60-year-old is getting ready to move back home. In the midst of building his retirement home in Ohio - where he’ll relocate to following the 2025 season - TROT caught up with Dave and asked him to share his story. We’re pleased to say that he was happy to oblige. By John Rallis.
A few days after his 61st birthday, Hall Of Fame reinsman David Miller shared with TROT that he has had plenty of reasons to celebrate his life - both on, and off the racetrack. With over 14,500 trips to the winner’s circle, and more than $300 million (CDN) in purses (ranking him 2nd all-time behind John Campbell), the three-time U.S. Driver of the Year has accomplished almost everything there is to achieve as a driver. A career that has spanned across five decades, Miller’s feats are aplenty, including a pair of North America Cup titles, five Little Brown Jugs, 28 Breeders Crowns, a Hambletonian Oaks and a multitude of other big triumphs on both Canadian and American soil. ‘The Buckeye’ State is where it all began for Miller, in what’s been a storybook career, but after relocating to the eastern seaboard for a couple of decades, the plan is to go back home after the 2025 season. After that, as far as the next chapters go, for the most part they’ll take place back where it all began - in Ohio.
‘Start ‘em young’, is an expression that can be advantageous when introducing a person to a skill or activity at an early age. For David Miller, growing up, that statement couldn’t bear more truth.
“I grew up between Columbus and Cleveland,” shares Dave. “My dad always trained a few horses and he was stabled by the Columbus Fairgrounds.
“He started me out early and put me to work at eight [years-old]. I quickly learned how much work it took, so that made me appreciate what horsepeople do at a very young age… but it was being around those animals that made it so enjoyable.”
While being at the barn was a joy for Miller, there was no greater thrill than picking up a set of lines for the first time. It was a moment that changed everything.
“I jogged my first horse that same year and it was pretty surreal” reminisced Dave. “From that moment, it sure as heck didn’t take long [for me] to know what I wanted to do as a career, that’s for sure (laughing).”
Four years later, at the age of twelve, Miller acquired his matinee license, and he began competing in small races in Ohio. The older he got, the more comfortable he felt in the bike.
A few years after that, he took it one step further.
“When I was seventeen [years-old], I got my P-License”, shares Dave. “I mean, at that point, I was dead-set on making a go of it driving, all that was left was getting an opportunity.
“Shortly thereafter, I told my mom that I was leaving high school to pursue driving. “She wasn’t too happy with me, or my decision, I’ll tell you that much (laughing).”
For the Ohio teen, the decision wasn’t a difficult one whatsoever, as pursuing an education just wasn’t something that interested him.
Driving horses, however, was something Miller was dead set on doing - and he believed he could do it at a high level. But just like most young drivers starting out in this industry, it didn’t come easy.
“The first two years were pretty tough,” admits Dave. “I wasn’t driving good horses and I struggled.
“I was second-guessing myself at times throughout the early struggles. There were days where I left the track thinking ‘Jeez, maybe this isn’t going to work out’.
“Look, in this game, you have to earn your stripes, and eventually the opportunities will come,” states Dave. “You have to go through a bit of a struggle before things can go right, even if it is stressful. I kept reminding myself of that.”
Miller trusted the process and continued to stay level-headed throughout. In 1985 though, he was introduced to a horseman who was instrumental in helping kick-start some success for him, while racing at Lebanon Raceway in Ohio.
“Ed Tell,” says Dave with a smile. “I was introduced to him in 1985 and that’s when things started to take a positive turn for me.
“He was an owner and we had a small stable, maybe three or four horses that I trained and drove for him, but they were good horses. He taught me a few things that were important for me, such as reading a program properly and studying the tendencies of other drivers. Things of that nature are a huge boost.”
Miller’s confidence grew, and he began to pick up more and more catch-drives.
“Everything became easier when I got to line up behind the gate with horses who were between 2/1 and 4/1, as opposed to 30/1 and 40/1 shots,” admits Dave. “At that point you know you can take a shot and be aggressive with horses, and handle them with more confidence, and that’s what I did.”
Tell wasn’t the only one who played an impact in the shift in Miller’s driving mentality; his cousin Dean gave him some advice that helped him a lot in terms of what to do when he was racing.
“When I drove lesser horses, he [Dean] would tell me ‘Just drive for cheques, and it’ll all come together’. When I started picking up better stock, he would say ‘Dave, just focus on winning races, and nothing else’.
“It was nothing over the top, but it was advice that really helped me, especially at that point in my driving career.”
Those wins that cousin Dean spoke of, started coming for Miller, and so did the work. From 1985-1987, Dave drove in 814 races. Then, in 1988 alone, he had 1,121 steers, and it just continued to blossom from there.
From mainly competing at the smaller Lebanon Raceway, Miller eventually found his way to racing at Northfield Park, as well as a short stint at The Meadows. But just like most young American drivers who hope to carve out a successful career, he aspired to be in East Rutherford, New Jersey, racing at ‘The Mecca’.
“I drove at The Meadowlands sporadically over the years for some stakes races, and it was incredible. Top drivers, top horses, it was just where you had to be if you wanted to be considered [one of] the best.
“In 1999, I came to The Meadowlands with a guy named Jeff Cox, and we brought a few horses down. Our plan was to be there for a few months. Well, a few months turned into much longer than that, because after that stint, I decided to make a permanent go at it.”
That same year is when Miller got the opportunity to sit behind a horse at The Meadowlands, which he says was a pretty good stepping stone for his career.
“I got an opportunity to sit behind a horse called Magician and he was tremendous,” shares Dave. “Magician made $3.5 million throughout his career, and won multiple stakes races including a Breeders Crown. From there, horses of that caliber started to find their way to me.”
In May of 2003, a horse by the name of No Pan Intended ‘found his way’ to Miller. The three-year-old son of Pacific Fella-Classic Wish was in a non-winners of two, conditioned pacing event at The Meadowlands. The horse had been a decent two-year-old, winning just once but earning $147,328. However, what Dave figured was just going to be a drive in another overnight, became so much more.
“I went into the track that night and I was listed on that horse. I didn’t know much about him, but I learned that night a bit about what he was capable of… even then though, I still didn’t really know. What we went to do beyond that was even more special.
“There’s certain horses that just get you emotional and he’s certainly one of them,” shares Dave. “He’s a special horse, and that season was a fairytale.”
Winning 17 of 21 races in his sophomore year, No Pan Intended bankrolled $1,465,852. Notching victories in the $273,983 Art Rooney Memorial, the $331,000 Cane Pace, the $252,945 Messenger Pace and the $542,500 Breeders Crown, the pacing colt took Miller on plenty of great rides that season, but none greater than what the pairing accomplished one Thursday afternoon in September.
“Look, when you’re from Ohio and you’re into [harness] racing, the one thing everybody dreams about is winning the Little Brown Jug,” admits Miller.
“When I attended the race at twelve [years-old] in 1976, it was the first time I had seen guys like Billy Haughton, Stanley Dancer, and horses of star caliber compete in person. It was incredible.
“On our way back from the races, I remember telling my dad, ‘You know, dad, I’d love to win that race someday.’”
On September 18th, 2013, that someday became a reality
“We won the first heat fairly easily, and once I drew the rail going into the final, it was hard not to be confident. I had the best horse, and the post [position] didn’t hurt. Once I cleared [to the] front, it was basically over.
“I had won a few big races before that point, but nothing compared to that one,” admits Dave. “I came back to the winner’s circle, with my parents there and I just began to cry. That’s a huge race, but it adds extra meaning when you’re from Ohio, so that’s what makes it even more special.”
Miller wasn’t the only one with hometown connections to the colt either.
“What made it even more special was winning that race for Ohio connections. The colt was trained by Ivan Sugg and owned by Bob Glazer of Peter Pan Stables. To share that moment with them, and for it being our first Little Brown Jug title, was great.
That Jug victory was the first of five that Miller has celebrated in his career thus far. In 2008, he won it with Shadow Play, trained by Dr. Ian Moore; in 2011, it was Big Bad John, trained by Ron Potter; in 2016, it was Betting Line for Casie Coleman; in 2018, he won it with Courtly Choice for Blake MacIntosh.
Of those five victories, two were for Ohio connections, the other three for Canadians. It’s a very fitting statistic, given the success he’s not only had racing north of the border, but also considering many of the people he’s driven successfully for as well.
“Canada has been responsible for some very memorable moments in my career,” states Miller. “I’ve won countless big races there throughout the course of my career and have been a part of some huge moments racing for Canadian connections across North America, as well.”
One of those huge moments for Miller came in 2016, when he teamed up with Betting Line to win Canada’s biggest race for the first time, for trainer Casie Coleman, someone he has a very close relationship with to this day.
“Casie will give you the shirt off her back if you need it. She’s a great person and an even better horseperson. She might get after you after a drive the odd time, but that’s because she always brings them ready (laughing).
“Up until that point in my career, I had the record for most starts in a North America Cup without winning one (laughing). That’s not a record you want to be associated with.”
That changed just the second time he sat behind the son of Bettors Delight-Heathers Western - when they paired to win the $1 million classic. It was also a drive that wasn’t even his to begin with, when the colt’s sophomore campaign began.
“Casie kept telling me that she wanted me to drive him. He had a nice two-year-old season, but it wasn’t spectacular. At three, everything just really clicked for him though.
“He won the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes with Jonathan Drury in 1:50.1 and it was a strong effort,” recalls Dave. “My cousin called me right after that, asking me if I saw his performance. It was hard not to view him as the one to beat after that.”
A week later, it was Miller that was sitting behind Betting Line in his North America Cup elimination. Sent off as the 3/2 favourite, the pair came first-over to score by three-quarters-of-a-length in 1:49.2 - home in :26.2. The trip wasn’t an easy one, and it wasn’t easy in the lucrative final, a week later, either.
“I didn’t have him in the best spot [in the final], but he bailed me out,” recalls Miller. “We had some quick fractions early which helped me but he really showed a nice burst in the lane, pacing home in twenty-five and change. He was such a good horse and he created a lot of memories for me the rest of the year.”
The 1:47.4 score in the $1 million final was the richest of Betting Line’s racing career, and the highlight of a three-year-old campaign that saw him win 14 races in 15 tries (with the lone loss being a second-place finish, in his first start of the year), all while earning $1,698,096. For Miller, it got him off the schneid in a big way, too.
“I’m just glad the monkey was off my back (laughing). I went so many starts without winning a North America Cup, and then I won it the year right after with Fear The Dragon too.
“Those are extremely tough races to win, but when you get to drive quality horses, you’ll always be in with a chance, and that’s all you can ask for.”
The ‘Cup drought’ ended for Miller in 2016, and the Hall Of Fame reinsman is still hoping that he can eventually put an end to a different drought as well.
In North American Standardbred racing, there isn’t a race that really holds the same level of esteem as The Hambetonian, and while the Ohio native has won just about everything racing has to offer, things in the prized trotting event haven’t necessarily gone in his favour.
“It’s a tough race to win, everybody knows that,” says Dave on the Hambletonian. “When you buy a trotter from the sale, break and develop them, your dream is to win that race. It’s the same being a driver.”
And in 2017, the Ohio native entered the Hambo final, on that Saturday afternoon in August, with what he believed was a live longshot - and Miller was hoping to pull off the upset.
Trained by Ron Burke, Dave was the pilot behind What The Hill, who lined up at odds of 17/1 from PP #4. The pair sprinted off the gate and secured a two-hole trip, where they’d still sit comfortably as they turned for home.
At the head of the lane, Perfect Spirit, an Ake Svanstedt charge, was the one to haul down, and Miller definitely had his sights set on the pace-setter. Shortly after angling-out the son of Muscle Hill - K T Cha Cha, the pair crossed the wire first in America’s Great Trotting Race. Miller had finally captured that elusive Hambletonian… or so he thought.
Once they crossed the wire, the inquiry sign lit up, and after further deliberation the judges determined that What The Hill had caused interference to Guardian Angel AS in the stretch. The Miller-driven, Burke trainee was placed from first to last. It was a controversial ruling, one that people talk about to this day.
“That was a tough moment,” says Dave. “I’m not going to get into the specifics, or what I thought about it… but it’s disappointing.
“If you watch the replay, I had my whip over my shoulder and I wasn’t celebrating because I had a bad feeling in my gut. Once Guardian Angel AS made a break, I thought to myself, ‘This ain’t good’.
“You could see Ronnie [Burke] and everyone else running over to congratulate me and embrace with the horse… then moments later we’re on the wrong side of history. It’s just tough, because quite frankly, there were so many people involved that really deserved that win.”
What The Hill went on to win the $684,000 Canadian Trotting Classic at Mohawk, the $527,500 Breeders Crown final at Hoosier Park, and the $350,000 TVG Open Trot against aged trotters. He finished his three-year-old campaign with nine wins in 18 starts, while totalling $1,010,602 in earnings. It was a great season, but it could’ve been even greater.
“I’m pretty sure he would’ve been Horse Of The Year had he stayed up in The Hambletonian,” states Dave. “He was such a great horse, and what he went on to do the rest of the season, he proved he was the best in the division.
“Stuff like that is part of life. You don’t have to like it, but it happens.”
Despite that moment, the veteran chooses to put things in perspective.
“Look, truth be told, I’ve won a lot [of big races] and have had plenty of big moments. I may not have a Hambletonian title next to my name, but I do have five Little Brown Jugs, which is pretty damn cool. And hey, who’s to say I won’t win a Hambo… that door isn’t closed yet (laughing)”.
Speaking of Miller’s five Jug titles - that number ties him for most all-time with Mike Lachance. When asked if he’d rather hold the record for that, or be associated with a single Hambletonian winner, this is what the reinsman had to say:
“You know what, as much as I’d love a Hambletonian, the Jug record is very cool. Being from Ohio, that race holds so much more weight, and it’s always a thrill being a part of that day and that race. Honestly, I’d have to go with that.”
Sixth all-time in driving wins, and second overall in purses, Miller has, no doubt, had an extraordinary career. When he reflects on the success, it’s hard not to be proud of it.
“To think I’ve won that many races, truly, is pretty crazy. I’ve never been one to always keep track of my stats and what not, but I remember when I was approaching $200 million in earnings… I thought to myself, ‘$200 million? Jeez’… and now I’m approaching 300. It’s amazing, really.”
At 61-years-old, Miller certainly isn’t showing any signs of slowing down, and with 2024 purses of more than $13.7 million (CDN) he’s actually just putting the wraps on his best year ever from a money standpoint. Stylistically, nothing has changed, but the wear-and-tear is starting to catch up to him.
“The travel is grueling,” stresses Dave, on what it’s like being a Grand Circuit driver. “It’s just not something I’m willing to continue to have to endure at this stage of my career. I don’t think people realize how tough it is.”
Time is another thing that Miller is starting to value more and more as he gets older, and he’d love for some of that to be spent with those closest to him. As he recently began to ponder his life and his career some more, the reinsman’s next chapter was actually decided upon while on a drive to Lexington.
“This past May when I was driving down to Lexington, I passed by a piece of land in Ohio - which was about 6 ½ acres. I was introduced to the owner and I purchased it… the idea is to build a home there and move back to Ohio… just be back home.
“When I bought the land, however, I wasn’t aware that I had to wait for the harvest before I could start any building plans. I was informed not to be in any sort of hurry, so the house will be complete by October or November, 2025.”
Dave’s plan is to continue driving horses for a living - in Ohio - while enjoying more free time with his two daughters, Devan and Leigha, as well as his grandson, Callam. He hasn’t had as much time with them as he’d like to, given the schedule of a Grand Circuit harness driver. It’s something he’s looking forward to very much.
“My daughters are from two different marriages. I got married when I was twenty and my first daughter that I had was Devan.
“Devan grew up just like me… being in the barn all the time and around the horses. She’s just a horse-crazy girl and has been that way since she was a kid. Right now, she owns three of them on her own and trains as well.”
Miller is thrilled at the prospects of seeing more of Devan, after he moves home to Ohio, but when asked if he would potentially partner-up and own some horses with her, he didn’t hesitate.
“Oh, not a chance,” he says with a huge laugh. “I love my daughter, but I could never own a horse with her (laughing).
“If people think Casie Coleman can be tough to drive for at times, they’ve never driven for Devan (laughing).”
Miller’s youngest daughter, Leigha, never got involved in cleaning stalls or jogging horses. Instead, she was more focused on non horse-related hobbies and school.
“Leigha graduated from high school, then she went on to get a degree in college. After that, she got her Masters and now she’s a school teacher in Florida.
“I’m hoping I’ll have a bit more time to make visits to Florida to visit her and my grandson, Callam. He’s five-year-old, and I want to be able to spend more time with him, too.
“I’m really proud of both of my daughters. They were both tremendous kids and they both grew up to be wonderful people.”
With many of the Meadowlands’ regulars set to take a bulk of the winter off, Miller will be off for the rest of December and then return to The Meadowlands in January, where he will kick off his final year of racing at the East Rutherford, New Jersey oval. For him, staying at it is very important.
“I’ve never been one to take too much time off. I like to stay in shape, but would much rather be racing in Florida where it’s a lot warmer… unfortunately Pompano Park closed down.”
Yes, things change over time, but moving forward, one thing’s for certain: It’ll be odd not seeing the man in the purple, gold and white silks, regularly, at The Meadowlands come 2026.
“People keep saying to me, ‘Oh, you’ll be back if I put you down on this type of horse, won’t you?’ The truth is though [starting in 2026], if I were to drive a really good horse [in Ohio] and it were to travel to New Jersey to race, then I’d follow suit.”
Other than in that scenario however, Miller insists he’ll be sticking to the Ohio circuit after the 2025 season concludes.
A future trip to The Meadowlands, though, during that first weekend in August, to compete in their signature trotting event, would be something he’d love to partake in. Of course, it would have to be a special trotter to get him there.
As far as fairytale endings go though…
Given that What The Hill is now successfully standing stud in Ohio, the possibility could arise where Miller may end up with an opportunity to capture that elusive Hambletonian, with a son or daughter of the very horse that was victim of the controversial call back in 2017. Now THAT would be a script unlike any other.
“Oh man, that’s never crossed my mind until now,” states Dave with a laugh. “You know what? That would be pretty damn cool, I’ll give you that.
“That’s fairytale level stuff right there,” he suggests. “I mean, crazier things have happened though, right? (laughing).”
This feature originally appeared in the January issue of TROT Magazine. Subscribe to TROT today by clicking the banner below.
