Miller pouring it on to the end

DEL MAR, Calif. - A two-win day on Wednesday marked a successful start to the final week of the Del Mar summer season for Peter Miller, who is well clear in the trainer standings in advance of Monday’s closing day.

Miller is not coasting to the finish. Saturday, he has 11 runners in the first nine races on an 11-race program. Miller entered 18 horses, but some of the races didn't fill.

“I think 18 is a record for me,” Miller said.

Through Wednesday, Miller had 30 wins, 13 more than Doug O’Neill. They have been the two most productive stables of the meeting, which began on July 18. Through Wednesday, Miller had run 95 horses, while O’Neill led all trainers with 123 starts.

Miller, 51, is set to claim his third title at a summer meeting here, and first since he tied with Jerry Hollendorfer with 20 wins in 2014.

Red McDaniel won a record 47 races at Del Mar in 1954 during a 41-day meeting. This year’s season covers 36 days.

Miller has won four stakes at Del Mar this summer, including Wednesday’s $100,000 Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies with the undefeated Creative Instinct.

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Creative Instinct led throughout the six-furlong race to win by 2 1/4 lengths over the first-time starter Mucho Unusual. Those two are likely to meet again in the $200,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.

Miller said he has no intention of starting Creative Instinct against open company – for now.

“I think two turns will be her niche," Miller said. “She’s a big, long-striding filly. We’re in no hurry to try the open. You can make a lot of money in California-bred races without banging them up.”

Owned by Gary Barber, Creative Instinct won her debut in a maiden race for California-bred fillies on Aug. 1.

Monday, Miller will have an outsider in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity with Savagery, the winner of a $62,500 maiden claimer by 11 lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 15. Savagery was sixth behind top Del Mar Futurity candidate Roadster in a maiden special weight race on July 29.

“We’ll take a shot,” Miller said. “There are no other options.”

The $300,000 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs is expected to be led by Instagrand, who is unbeaten in two starts. Instagrand won the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at six furlongs on Aug. 11.

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