Niki Hill returns with strong qualifier

Niki Hill (Always B Miki), the Dan Patch two-year-old pacing filly of the year in 2021, has returned to the harness racing wars in a Friday (September 2) qualifying event at The Meadowlands after recovering from an injury sustained May 29 in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes event for three-year-old pacing fillies.

With Dexter Dunn in the sulky for trainer Chris Ryder, Niki Hill led at every pole crying fractions of :29.1, :57.4 and 1:26 before a :26.1 kick home brought her to the wire a winner in 1:52.1 by one and one-half lengths.

Trainer Chris Ryder was very pleased with her performance, as was driver Dexter Dunn, who said the filly was “strong” all the way.

Ryder said that plans are to qualify again next week and, if a “suitable” race if offered at The Meadowlands, “she’ll be in that before going on to The Red Mile.”

For compete qualifier results, click here.

by John Berry, for Harnesslink