Miller forges ahead in trainer standings with seven-win week

DEL MAR, Calif. – Peter Miller won seven races at Del Mar last week, leaving him four clear of his closest pursuer with four days left in the autumn meeting. Miller has won 12 races and Jerry Hollendorfer eight races at the meet, which ends Sunday.

Miller said at his Del Mar stable on Sunday morning that he expects to be active during closing week.

“If the races go, we might have quite a few starters,” he said.

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Thursday, Miller has one runner – Aristocratic in the third race, a $32,000 claimer at five furlongs on turf. He has horses in three races on Friday.

Last week, Miller had one win on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and four wins on Saturday. The highlight of Saturday’s program for Miller was a 9 1/2-length win by the 2-year-old Gray Magician in a maiden special weight race at a mile. That was his first start since being bought by Wachtel Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Gary Barber.

Gray Magician may run next in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes at a mile at Santa Anita on Jan. 5, Miller said. The $100,000 Sham Stakes is the first stakes for 3-year-olds on dirt at the track’s winter-spring meeting.