By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media
Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – He didn’t
leap any tall buildings in a single bound, but “Super” Brett Miller lived up to
his nickname nonetheless at the Meadowlands Thursday night, winning three of
the 10 races on the program.
Miller got his party started in the
fourth race trot for $10,000 claimers, putting 5-2 second choice Photo King
into a perfect spot second-over before rolling home to 1¼-length win in 1:55.2.
The Saratoga shipper won his second straight and ninth in 40 starts this year.
Monty’s Play scorched the mile oval
in race six, scoring in a 3- and 4-year-old $25,000 claiming pace in a
lifetime-best 1:50.4. Miller had the 2-5 favorite racing on the outside past
the half and three-quarters before squashing the field by 7¾ lengths, extending
the Dover Downs shipper’s win streak to three for trainer Scott DiDomenico, who
won for the first time at the Big M meeting.
Miller completed his three-bagger
with another DiDomenico student, Spanish Art, in the eighth race $7,500 claiming
pace. After getting gunned down by a nose a week ago as the 8-5 favorite, the
betting public showed no fear, betting Spanish Art down to even-money, and the
4-year-old gelding delivered in 1:52.1 by a length despite going parked for the
final half-mile.
THREE PAIR: Drivers Eric Abbatiello, Anthony
Napolitano and Eric Carlson all won twice on the card, meaning that four
drivers accounted for nine of the winners on the program.
A LITTLE MORE: The Big M’s signature wager, the
50-Cent Pick-4, saw big action as $81,907 was poured into the pool. The winning
combination of 7-4-7-3 returned $265.80. … All-source wagering totaled
$1,413,436. … Racing resumes Friday at 7:15 p.m. with a big 14-race card. The
feature is the seventh race $20,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap for
pacers. The 2-1 morning-line favorite is Darlinonthebeach, who has won 19-of-53
lifetime starts, good for earnings of $1,058,648.
