Peter Miller plans Oaklawn string

Trainer Peter Miller, who won two Breeders’ Cup races earlier this month at Del Mar, said Wednesday he plans to have a division of horses at the Oaklawn Park meet that opens in January. It will mark the first time he has raced in Arkansas.

Miller won the Breeders' Cup Sprint with Roy H and the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint with Stormy Liberal. His main base of operation will continue to be Southern California.

"We're planning on coming," Miller said Wednesday. "We're just trying to figure out all the details, but they've given us 20 stalls and we're looking forward to having a presence out there."

Miller said purse structure and an abundance of dirt racing were among the appeals of Oaklawn. There is no turf course at the track.

“Hopefully we can find spots for some of the dirt horses we have trouble getting in out here,” he said.

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Miller, 51, reached a career pinnacle with his wins in the Breeders’ Cup, which was run at Del Mar. He also captured the fall training title at the track with 19 wins. Miller's meet was so outstanding, in fact, he had one more win than the meet's leading rider, Flavien Prat.

“This is a November to remember,” he said Wednesday. “It’s been amazing. The Breeders’ Cup was amazing. The Del Mar fall meet was unbelievable.”

Miller said his main base of operation is the San Luis Rey Downs training center in Bonsall, Calif. He said he also keeps a stable of horses at whatever track is running at the time in Southern California.

Miller’s other Grade 1 winners through the years have included Comma to the Top, Finnegans Wake, Heir Kitty, and Set Play.

Miller is among a large cast of newcomers expected for Oaklawn. Trainers Doug O’Neill, Norman McKnight, and Danny Pish are planning on divisions at the track for the first time, while the riding colony will include such new faces as Gary Stevens, Alan Garcia, David Cohen and Richard Eramia.