Judge Miller sharp in comeback win

Judge Miller, twice stakes-placed in the spring of 2024, returned from a layoff of more than 11 months to win an allowance race at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on Sunday in an encouraging manner.

Ridden by Antonio Fresu for trainer Mark Glatt, Judge Miller closed from fourth of seven to win by a half-length despite being held up behind rivals briefly on the turn. With room to race approaching the stretch, Judge Miller closed steadily to reach the front in the final sixteenth.

Judge Miller ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.27 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 95.

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“He ran great,” Glatt said. “He had a few things going against him, but he had a good trip.”

Glatt said he has no immediate race plans for Judge Miller, whose best result in a stakes was a second to Mr Fisk in the Grade 3 Californian Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita in April 2024.

“I’m interested in running him at a one-turn mile, but there are not a lot of those around,” Glatt said. “He’s got such a strong pedigree. If he does something good, his residual value would be something.

“We’ll play it by ear.”

Judge Miller, by Curlin, is a full brother to Clairiere, a four-time Grade 1 winner. Judge Miller and Clairiere are out of Cavorting, a Bernardini mare who was a three-time Grade 1 winner.

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