Babies shine at The Downs

WILKES-BARRE, PA – Harness racing trainer Erv Miller has achieved giant accomplishments as a trainer – fourth of the all-time list for victories and third for money – but most people don’t remember that he also was a two-time UDR champion. On Wednesday morning Miller showed he had lost none of his sulky prowess by guiding Flip My Chip to a 1:55.3 victory in a baby race at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

The Heston Blue Chip gelding did not have an easy go of it, getting an early spot and then coming back on with cover, but he came home in :55 – :27.1 to win nicely for driver/trainer Miller and the ownership of Ervin Miller Stable Inc. and Sara Miller.

Flip My Chip’s maternal side certainly gives him a right to be good early: his dam Restive Hanover was the two-year-old pacing filly champion of 2004, and his second dam Razzle Hanover became the fastest two-year-old of all-time when she time-trialed in 1:52.2 all the way back in 1985.

Also overcoming the outside starting slot was the quickest freshman filly on the day, the Downbytheseaside miss Lightning Leia, who went in 1:57 wire-to-wire with back numbers of :56.3 – :27.4 for driver Matt Kakaley, trainer Travis Alexander, and Fiddler’s Creek Stables LLC. She is the first foal of D D Diamond, whose dam Thereal Ideal also set a world record.

On the trot, the filly Praisolite was yet another to overcome an outside starting spot, making two moves to tally by 6¼ lengths in 1:59.1, going :58.4 – :28.2 at the end for driver Tyler Buter, trainer John Butenschoen, and the partnership of Crawford Farms Racing, Mortgage Boys Stable, and James Crawford IV. The winner is a daughter of Chapter Seven and the first foal out of the $533G-winning Jewels In Hock.

Trotting colt honors were taken by the Bar Hopping – Gold Cora colt Bar Coins, who went down the road in 2:01 – :58 – :28.4 in winning by 8½ lengths. Trainer/driver Todd Schadel shares ownership with his wife Christine and Rick and Regina Beinhauer.

Driver Tyler Buter had a driving triple with the babies, while trainers with two successes included John Butenschoen, John McDermott, and Erv Miller.

For full race results, click here.

From the PHHA/The Downs