Nextdoorneighbor back in Miller barn
DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainer Peter Miller claimed an old friend on Friday, bringing the popular 9-year-old gelding Nextdoorneighbor back to his barn for $12,500 after losing him for $8,000 in the horse’s prior start.
Nextdoorneighbor has spent much of his career in Miller’s barn, although he’s been claimed away and brought back. Miller always has done better with him in recent years than anyone else. Miller claimed him anew for $8,000 in September, and Nextdoorneighbor won two straight before he was claimed away. Last year, Nextdoorneighbor won his final two races under Miller’s care before he was claimed. He was winless in five starts before Miller took him back.
“He’s kind of the barn pet,” Miller said. “I didn’t like not having him in the barn.”
Miller said he’d like to “find some starter races for him where we can protect him,” rather than risk him being claimed again.
Nextdoorneighbor has won 13 of 52 starts.