Vernon: Millers strike twice in New York Sire Stakes

The father-son tandem of trainer Erv Miller and driver Marcus Miller won two of the three New York Sire Stakes divisions for 2-year-old pacing fillies that took place on Friday night at Vernon Downs.

Hidden Cove gave the Millers their first win by taking the opening $34,866 section in 1:52 4/5. She moved around Cash Roll (Jim Morrill Jr.) to take command past a 27 4/5 opening quarter and went on to click off a half in 57 3/5. A first-over JK Finendandy (Matt Kakaley) challenged Hidden Cove around the last turn, to the 1:25 2/5 three-quarters, and through the stretch drive, but she just couldn't go by as Hidden Cove held sway to score by a quarter of a length. Hidden Cove was a game second, with Fashion Hill (Tyler Buter) third.

A daughter of American Ideal-Sun N Sand (Astreos), Hidden Cove is owned by Erv Miller Stable Inc., Lou Willinger, George Golemes, and D.R. Van Witzenburg. This was her second win from eight starts, and she has now banked 34$59,806. A $32,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale buy bred by Winbak Farm, Hidden Cove went off at odds of 7-2 and paid $9.20 to win.

Team Miller then came back for a big upset in the second $34,866 flight with 21-1 shot Coconut Beach. She followed in the pocket behind Hen Party (Kakaley) through panels of 27 1/5, 56 4/5, and 1:25 4/5, then used a 28 second final kicker to draw off and score by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:54. Roll With Angel was up for second, and Hen Party faded to third.

Coconut Beach, an Art Major-Gold Beach (Somebeachsomehere) filly, is owned by Happy Hour Racing. Bred by Big Als Stable Inc., Coconut Beach fetched $47,000 in Lexington, and this was her first career win in her seventh try. Now an earner of $34,811, Coconut Beach returned $45.80 to win to her backers.

Merga Hanover (Kakaley) then took the final $35,566 split in 1:53 1/5 as the 2-5 favorite. Away fourth at the 27 1/5 first quarter, Kakaley sent Merga Hanover to the top on the way to the 56 2/5 half. Merga Hanover kept control around the last turn, reaching three-quarters in 1:25 3/5, then sprinted home in 27 3/5 to win by a length and a quarter over The Fun Marshall (Scott Zeron). Bolt Of Beauty (Miller) rallied for third.

Ron Burke trains Merga Hanover, a daughter of American Ideal-Magic Starlight (Real Desire), for owners Thomas Dillon, Scott Dillon, Joe Sbrocco, and W.J. Donovan. Merga Hanover, who was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc. and was purchased for $150,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale, has a record of 6-1-0 from seven appearances, and she has now pocketed $131,394. She paid $2.90 to win.