Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Miller Close to Career Win 8,000

August 9, 2006

David Miller, a 41-year-old Columbus, Ohio native ended last week with 7,976 victories. He soon will join just 13 other drivers in history to reach the 8,000-win level.

Miller followed his late father, Donny, and grandfather, Clyde, into the sport. He notched his first win in 1981 and saw his career begin to blossom in 1988 when he won 153 times. Two years later, he ranked 20th in North America with 308 victories and by the mid-1990s he was a regular in the top 10. Twice, in 1997 and 1998, he finished second in wins, with 688 and 733, respectively.

After moving full time to the Meadowlands in 1999, he made a name for himself on the sport’s big stage with the older trotter Magician. The duo won the Nat Ray that year and came back in 2000 to claim the Breeders Crown and Maple Leaf Trot, beating two-time (1998 and 1999) Horse of the Year Moni Maker in both races. Magician, who retired in 2003, made $2.8 million of his career $3.5 million from 1999 through 2002, with Miller as his primary driver.

In 2003, he won pacing’s Triple Crown with No Pan Intended, who also captured the Breeders Crown and was voted Horse of the Year. His victory with No Pan Intended in the Little Brown Jug was one of Miller’s 10 winners on the day at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in his native state of Ohio.

Last year, Miller topped $11.1 million in purses, giving him his fourth season with at least $10.5 million since 2000. He has $91 million in career earnings, good for eighth place all time.