The 49-year-old Miller was the top driver on the Chicago circuit for several years before coming east and finding even more success, branching out to Grand Circuit horses, especially trotters. He becomes the 22nd driver in North American history to get to 9000 sulky wins (frequent competitor George Napolitano Jr. had earned the distinction earlier this month), and is 14th among active drivers. Horses Andy has driven have earned over $118 million dollars.
On “Trottin’ Thursday” at Harrah’s Philadelphia, Moonshiner Hanover grinded first-over to a 1¾ length victory in the $17,000 feature while taking a new mark of 1:53.
George Napolitano Jr. had sulky duties behind the winner of $467,982 for trainer Chris Beaver, co-owner with Synerco Ventures Inc. and Bill Manes. Behind the winning son of Andover Hall, 51-1 proposition Bands Houdini won a three-way photo over EI EI O and Arch Credit to complete the exacta.
In the first of two $14,500 co-featured trots, P L Jerico went a tick quicker than the feature winner, 1:52.4, looking like a fine acquisition with upward possibility for trainer Ron Burke after taking his second straight start for his new stable. Yannick Gingras moved the gelded son of Manofmanymissions to the front off turn one, then drew off to a 5¾ length triumph for Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
In the other division, the Equinox Bi gelding Playboy Buddy Rose (named after the wrestler who lost the opening bout at the first-ever Wrestlemania) moved to the lead past the quarter and won with authority in 1:55. The win for driver Marcus Miller boosted the “Playboy’s” lifetime earnings to $102,229 for trainer Linda Lambert and owner Lloyd Lambert.