Meadowlands: With plenty of live drives, Hambo Day could be Miller time

Hambletonian Day tends to bring out the best in the sport's drivers, and Hall of Famer David Miller is certainly hoping to get his share of winner's circle appearances on the 16-race program at the Meadowlands this Saturday afternoon (August 7). For Miller, a first Hambletonian trophy would be a plus, but isn't necessary to call the day successful.

Miler looks to capture the $276,150 Cane Pace for sophomores with last year's champion Perfect Sting, who landed post four in a field of seven going as the fifth race of the day.

"He raced well last week," said Miller of the come-from-behind 1:49 score in the Tompkins-Geers at the Meadowlands. "In the Meadowlands Pace I was sitting in a three-hole and had to make a quick move into hot fractions. Who knew that One Eight Hundred would step out of a hopple?"

Translation, Perfect Sting could have just as easily had a pocket trip without the burst of energy.

Miller was disappointed with the Meadowlands Pace defeat and hopes to right the ship in the Cane, where he'll meet One Eight Hundred (post one), Adios runner-up Rockyroad Hanover (post two) and Messenger Stakes winner American Courage (post seven).

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Miller has always had a good hand with young trotters, and that ability sets him up nicely in the $326,850 Jim Doherty Memorial (race seven) with Venerable. A $210,000 yearling purchase, Venerable has gone undefeated in three starts, with Miller in the bike behind the Walner-sired filly on all occasions. A winner in her first baby race on June 16 in 2:02, Venerable captured the July 16 New Jersey Sire Stakes final nearly 10 seconds faster with a 1:52 2/5 career-best over the Meadowlands surface.

"No, I had no idea she could go that fast when I drove her in the qualifier," Miller said to no surprise. "She did qualify very well with something in reserve before racing."

The lone filly to take a bye and miss last week's elimination, Venerable landed post six in against a solid group, many of which didn't compete in the New Jersey Sire Stakes. Joviality S (post four) was a solid 1:54 1/5 winner in her elimination, and Jiggy Jog S (post seven), another daughter of Walner, was a solid second in that mile. Mon Cheval (post nine), a well-bred daughter of Father Patrick-Shake It Cerry, received a tough trip from post 10 and is also one to watch.

It seems the post position Gods have a problem with the 4-year-old Beads, Miller's mount in the $269,750 John Cashman Memorial (race 11). The Per Engblom-trained stallion landed post nine for the third time in his last four starts, with the lone exception a 10-hole in the Hambletonian Maturity (July 17).

"It's been rough on him because he's not the quickest horse out of the gate," said Miller. "In the Maturity it was a mile and an eighth, and it took him a long time to clear the lead. He can go plenty fast, you just have to be careful with him."

Despite the luckless draws, Beads has managed to win four of his seven starts this year, already eclipsing his earnings for his entire 3-year-old season in the process. While the talent is obviously there, Beads will be handicapped by drawing outside the 2019 Hambletonian champion Forbidden Trade (post one), as well as the reigning queen of the trotting game Manchego (post three), who enters the contest off a brilliant 1:50 mile in the Spirit of Massachusetts at Plainridge on July 25.

Cattlewash (post one) gives Miller a serious chance in the $158,500 second Sam McKee division of the day, carded as race 12.

"He's come back very well," said Miller. "The fact that he was breeding three days a week between March and June and is able to race like this is something else."

Cattlewash, despite the double duty, enters the McKee in brilliant form, having captured the Graduate final on July 10 in 1:47 1/5 and then a William Haughton division a week later in 1:47 3/5. Cattlewash faces a solid group that includes the division leader This Is The Plan (post six), as well as Haughton winner Allywag Hanover (post three).

"Last year we were chasing Tall Dark Stranger a lot," said Miller, who believes his horse has the versatility to race on the lead or close up and still perform at a high level.

Whether When Dovescry can capture the Dr. John Steele Memorial for the second year in-a-row remains to be seen. Miller will steer the Muscle Hill-sired 5-year-old from post six in the $187,400 contest, carded as race 13.

"I was very proud of her for beating Atlanta last time," said Miller. "Atlanta and Manchego are in a world of their own."

Miller is most aware that Atlanta (post five) has a $2.7 million bankroll, much of it acquired from racing against and defeating male competition. The 6-year-old by Chapter Seven has only tested mares thus far in 2021 and seeks her third win of the year in the Steele.

Lady Chaos captured one of two eliminations for the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks last Saturday, and that assured her a favorable post position for the final.

"I was very happy with her race last week," said Miller of the head victory over Bella Bellini (post five) in the $35,000 contest. "You know, she raced Bella Bellini at Pocono, and she just went right around my filly that day (June 13). I just hope she's as good this week."

The Oaks is by no means a two-filly race, with talent spread throughout the 10-horse field, including last year's Jim Doherty champion Darlene Hanover (post one), 24-1 surprise elimination winner Awesome Trix (post three), as well as multiple stakes winners You Ato Dream (post nine) and Iteration (post 10).

While wins matter to most drivers, winning the Hambletonian would be extra sweet. In 2017, Miller guided What The Hill across the wire first but ultimately the horse was disqualified. On Saturday, he gets a major chance with Take All Comers (post two).

"He's really coming into the race off a big mile," said Miller of Take All Comers's elimination effort. "I wasn't happy drawing the eight-hole with him, but he followed Venerate and came home strongly."

Take All Comers is a homebred for Runthetable Stables, and Miller hopes he can win this not just for himself.

"It would be tremendous to win the Hambletonian," Miller said. "It would be tremendous for the horse, the owners and the trainer too."

Take All Comers drew well but is the lone horse in the field for trainer Jim Campbell, while Nancy Takter will send out three horses (Spy Booth – post three, Locatelli – post five, and Really Fast – post seven) and Ake Svanstedt will also have three (Delayed Hanover – post one, Captain Corey – post four, and Ambassador Hanover – post nine) in the final.

"It's the Hambletonian," said Miller. "Every driver wants to win this race."

Clearly, Miller expects every man for himself in the $1 million Hambletonian that will be the final stake of the day, and race 15 on the program with a 6:12 p.m. off time.