Harness: Andy Miller still far from a return to driving

Andy Miller got a positive report from his doctors recently as he continues his recovery from vertebrae surgery, but still is several months from returning to action.

“He said everything looks good,” Miller said Monday while watching qualifiers at Gaitway Farm, where he and wife Julie Miller are stabled. “He said in six weeks I can probably get rid of the [back] brace, but as far as doing anything, it’ll be a couple months yet.

“I was hoping I could do a little bit of work. Hopefully in six weeks I’ll get a little more clearance, but I’m sure it will be a couple months before I can really do much.”

Miller said it was “frustrating” to be on the sidelines, but he is still active in watching horses train and race and providing his input. Miller has won 8,054 races in his driving career and nearly $101 million in purses, with both totals ranking among the top 25 in North American harness racing history.

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“Eventually, I’ll get back out there, but I’ll just take my time,” Miller said. “I’m so thankful that I can be here and watch them and give my input on them training.

“There haven’t been any setbacks and if I didn’t have the brace on, you wouldn’t know anything is wrong with me. I can get around pretty good; I’m not running sprints, but everything is as good as it can be.”

-Courtesy of Harness Racing Communications, a division of the U.S. Trotting Association. For more information, please visit www.ustrotting.com