Nextdoorneighbor claimed away after six wins for Miller

DEL MAR, Calif. – It’s the nature of the claiming game that horses come into a barn and can quickly go, but trainer Peter Miller had grown quite attached to Nextdoorneighbor, who was claimed away from him Saturday after eight races and six victories.

Now age 8, Nextdoorneighbor has won 11 times in 44 starts and finished in the money 28 times. He had descended to the $8,000 level earlier in the year when Miller took him. Though he was in for a tag in every subsequent start, ranging in price from $8,000 to $22,500, it was not until nearly seven months later that he was claimed away.

Nextdoorneighbor earned nearly $110,000 under Miller’s care and was claimed for $22,500, a return of about $132,000 for that initial $8,000 investment by Rockingham Ranch’s Gary Hartunian.

“What a cool horse, one of my all-time favorites,” Miller said. “He’s got his physical issues, bleeding and whatnot, but he always fires. I think the main thing for him with us was being able to train him at San Luis Rey Downs, which has a more relaxed atmosphere. He came into his own.”

During his eight races with Miller, Nextdoorneighbor turned in a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 96.

“Amazing that he was in the best form of his life at age 8,” Miller said.

Mike Pender claimed Nextdoorneighbor on Saturday. Miller said he gave Pender a few tips the next morning as to how to handle Nextdoorneighbor.

“When he’s done racing, I’d like to get him for a barn pony,” Miller said. “He’d be great doing that at a place like San Luis Rey Downs.”

** Jockey Aaron Gryder was fined $300 by stewards for a violation of the new whipping rule in the first race Saturday. This is the second time Gryder has been cited.

** Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith turned 50 on Monday.