Harness: Jimmy Takter, David Miller repeat as Trainer and Driver of the Year

Jimmy Takter and David Miller, who teamed for success with Horse of the Year Always B Miki, have been named Trainer and Driver of the Year for the second consecutive year, the U.S. Harness Writers Association announced Wednesday.

Takter was named Trainer of the Year for the third season in a row and a record-extending sixth time in his career while Miller was named Driver of the Year for the third time overall.

Five-year-old stallion Always B Miki, who won 12 of 18 races and finished worse than second only once, paced the fastest mile in harness racing history when he won in 1:46 in October. He was among four Dan Patch Award-winning horses trained by Takter, along with 2-year-old female trotting champion Ariana G, 2-year-old female pacing champion Idyllic Beach and 3-year-old female pacing champion Pure Country.

Takter won three Breeders Crown trophies, with Always B Miki, Bar Hopping and Ariana G, pushing his career total to a record-extending 30. In August, Takter won the Hambletonian Oaks with All The Time. It was his third consecutive win in the Hambletonian Oaks and sixth overall, tying Jan Johnson for the most in history.

Miller established a career high in purses, with $12.64 million, giving him 14 years with at least $10 million in purses, extending his own record. In May, Miller became only the third driver to surpass $200 million in lifetime earnings, joining John Campbell and Ron Pierce, and in November got career win No. 12,000, good for fifth best in North American history.

Other top horses driven this year by Miller included two additional Dan Patch Award winners, 3-year-old male pacer Betting Line and 3-year-old female trotter Broadway Donna.

Both Takter and Miller are in the Harness Racing Hall of Fame.

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