by john manzi for the Billings Series
It
was Miller Time again last night when the hottest driver currently in amateur
racing scored yet another driving victory. It came in a CKG Billings Trot at
Tioga Downs when “Hot-Handed Hannah” Miller scored an easy seven length triumph
with Jacks To Open in a time of 1:55.2.
After
starting from the three hole Miller was content to let Bob “the Headhunter”
Hechkoff and take command on the first turn with Keystone Thomas.
Hechkoff then sizzled by the first stanza in :27.3 with Miller’s Jacks To Open
close behind.
Keystone
Thomas tripped the timer at the halfway mark in :57.1 and as they swept toward
the three quarters Miller moved Jacks to Open off the pylons and the veteran
trotter zipped to the front and coasted home an oh-so-easy winner. CSI What’s
My Name came from fourth at the head of the lane to finish second for Dave
“Steady As” Yarock. Third place went to Insider Access driven the ultimate Billings
traveler, Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford.
“Jack
was very good last night and it was made easy for me,” Miller said. “I just
followed Heckoff and let his horse cut it. When I pulled him he was fresh
and full of trot. I'm not sure if that was my fastest parimutuel win but it
probably was.”
Miller
co-owns Jacks To Open with trainer Nick Surick. For the 5 year old Conway Hall
gelding it was his fourth seasonal triumph. He paid $3.10 for win.
Miller’s
victory with Jacks To Open was her 17th thus far this year.
Later
on the Tioga Downs card Hannah Miller drove against professional drivers when
she reined Casanova Lindy to a fourth place finish in a race timed in 1:55.3.
That
was my second start against the professionals,” she said. “I drove at Freehold
in a regular race once with Rev It Now. I get more nervous driving against the
professionals than I do in the amateur races. And yes it is a little different
than the amateur races, but in a good way.”
