by John Manzi for the
Billings Series
Freehold, NJ--
“Hurricane Hannah” Miller is back where she belongs..at the head of the class.
The talented miss and
two-time National Amateur Driver of the Year (2015 & 2016) notched her 101st career
driving victory this afternoon at Freehold Raceway when she guided Fiji to a
stunning 2:00.3 come from behind triumph in a $9000 Eastern Region
Billings Trot.
Subbing for usual driver,
and owner, Dave “the Rave” Offenberg, Ms Miller fit her mount like a glove and
got him to respond to victory, the horse's third of the season.
“We left swiftly from the
six hole and settled-in third along the pylons,” she said. “When I moved him
first-up at the half he marched forward toward the leader--Joe Faraldo with
Tough Get Going-- and slowly Fiji began closing the gap."
.On the final turn Fiji was
just a short length behind Faraldo's trotter.
“We didn't collar Tough Get
Going until we straightened for home but when we did Fiji was strong and in the
lane and we went on to a length victory, "Hannah added. "He was a
real pleasure to drive"
Broadway Bruiser finished
third for “Mighty Matt” Zuccarello.
Trained by Eric Abbatiello
Fiji paid $13.00 for win.
During the 2015 season
Hannah won 32 races and the following year she also won 32 races. She had 22
winners in 2017, the last year she participated regularly in amateur racing.
Now primarily a sales person
for equine medications her chances to jump up behind a spirited steed are
limited. But when time permits Hannah gets back to what she loves-- driving
harness horses.
