Trainer Miller gets boost from Family Girl

CYPRESS, Calif. - Family Girl provided a much-needed boost for trainer Peter Miller’s stable after the 2-year-old filly won a $32,000 claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs in Sunday’s first race at Los Alamitos.

Family Girl was Miller’s first starter since a devastating wildfire struck the San Luis Rey Downs training center in Bonsall, Calif., on Dec. 7. Most of Miller’s stable is based at San Luis Rey Downs.

Miller had 77 horses based at San Luis Rey Downs on Dec. 7 and lost five in the fire. Overall, the California Horse Racing Board announced last week, 46 horses died in the fire.

Family Girl, who is owned by Ballena Vista Farm, has won 2 of 6 starts. She was second in the Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies at Del Mar on Aug. 30, and fifth in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar on Nov. 3.

*** Jockey Tiago Pereira is suspended for the first three days of the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting – Dec. 26 and 29-30 – after withdrawing an appeal of a three-day penalty issued Oct. 6 for causing interference.

Pereira, 41, was cited for his ride on The Street Fighter, who finished second in an allowance race and was disqualified and placed fifth.