Harlan's Destiny seeks to complete sweep in Eleanor Casey Memorial

On Saturday night in the Eleanor Casey Memorial, Harlan’s Destiny will try to complete a sweep of this year’s West Virginia-bred stakes for 2-year fillies at Charles Town.

Owned and bred by James F. Miller and trained by Wayne Catalano, Harlan’s Destiny has already won the Rachel’s Turn and the West Virginia Triple Crown Nutrition Breeders’ Classic. While several of her Saturday rivals have since raced in the open Tri-State Futurity at Charles Town, Harlan’s Holiday was kept in Kentucky, where she is based, and won an allowance on the Stars of Tomorrow card at Churchill Downs.

Miller is a native of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., which is about 40 miles from Charles Town. He was introduced to racing at an early age by his parents and two uncles, Norman Haymaker and Larry Miller.

Haymaker, a trainer, started two horses in the Kentucky Derby in the 1950s. Larry Miller owned, trained, and bred Thoroughbreds. He was a member of the board of directors of the Charles Town division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association prior to his death in 2013.

James Miller, 58, is involved in infrastructure financing, “mostly at airports,” he said. He has built a successful breeding operation in West Virginia the past five years.

“Right now we have about 10 mares and six babies,” Miller said. “We breed to sell at market. We keep one or two to race each year, but everything starts out for sale. We also buy yearlings.”

Miller did a little buying and selling at last year’s Keeneland September sale. In less than an hour on Sept. 14, he sold a West Virginia-bred son of the late Harlan’s Holiday for $330,000 and bought a Majesticperfection filly for $145,000 and a Smart Strike filly for $155,000.

Some of the horses Miller has raced include Aurelia’s Belle, who won the Grade 3 Arlington Oaks this past summer; Gold Edge, winner of the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Lassie in 2012; and Ami’s Dini, winner of the 2012 Martha Washington at Oaklawn Park.

In 2013, Miller won the West Virginia Triple Crown Nutrition Breeders’ Classic and finished second in the Rachel’s Turn with Henny’s Princess, whom he bred. Harlan’s Destiny has already improved on that and will be heavily favored to win the Casey.

“She was quality from the day she was born,” Miller said.

Miller also has Dynamizzen in the Casey with trainer Keturah Obed-Letts.

Saturday’s seven-furlong race is named in honor of Eleanor Casey, who in 2005 died after being involved in an accident at Charles Town. Casey, along with her husband, James W. Casey, founded nearby Taylor Mountain Farm in the 1960s. Eleanor Casey is the mother of local horsemen James M. Casey and John Casey.

KEY CONTENDERS

Harlan’s Destiny (Last 3 Beyers: 68-46-51)

◗ She has won three races in a row since finishing third in her debut at Arlington Park.

◗ Although her Churchill win came at a mile, this will be her two-turn debut.

Country Mamma (Beyers: 58-56)

◗ She is undefeated in two starts, both for trainer Ollie Figgins III, and won a two-turn allowance last out.

◗ She may be quicker than Harlan’s Destiny.

Lady Jillet (Last 3 Beyers: 59-26-26)

◗ Her 59 Beyer Speed Figure fits well here.

◗ She is one of two entrants trained by James W. Casey.