Miller triples to start 2025 at Big M

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Veteran Hall of Fame harness racing driver Dave Miller was the leading pilot at The Meadowlands during 2024 with 106 wins, and he got his 2025 season – which will be his last racing full time at the mile oval – off to rousing start Friday night by winning three times on the program, one of which came in the $18,000 featured conditioned event for trotters with Queen Of America S (Father Patrick).

“It’s going real good,” said the 60-year-old Miller of his evening after taking three of the first five dashes. “I just kind of told the judges I would be here this weekend and see what happens. I got some live ones.”

The most live was Queen Of America S, a Swedish import who was superb in her first betting start on American soil.

“I was really impressed with her,” said Miller. “They kind of gave me the heads up to race her off of a helmet. She raced super. She’s getting her stomach scoped [today]. They think maybe she might have a problem, but she seemed pretty good to me.”

Queen Of America S picked up live cover from 4-1 third choice Lucky Mum N, a Yonkers shipper in search of her sixth win in her last seven starts, as the field made its way to the five-eighths. Miller tipped his horse off that live tow as they straightened up at the head of the stretch and moved to the lead easily before holding on for a safe three-quarter-length win in 1:54.2. Winter Soldier was a fast-closing second as the 5-2 second choice making his first pari-mutuel start since Nov. 15. Kovu As was third.

QUEEN OF AMERICA S REPLAY

Miller had some minor concerns before the race, as the “Queen” was hot during the warmup.

“She took off with me in front of the grandstand,” said Miller. “But I got her over to the outrider there and she settled right down. She was fine in the race.”

Sent to the gate as the even-money public choice, Queen Of America S, a 5-year-old mare, returned $4 after winning for the fourth time from 16 lifetime starts. The Ron Burke trainee now has earnings of $55,254.

Known as “The Buckeye” and “Purple Jesus”, Miller, the second-most prolific money-earning driver in history with $291 million, confirmed what he had said in 2024. He’s heading back to his native Ohio to be closer to family. “I’m ready to go. This will be my last season here [at The Meadowlands]. I’m going to [race] at Scioto, Miami Valley and Dayton.”

A LITTLE MORE: Big M TV’s Jessica Otten gave her followers a blast of New Year’s cash after giving out the Early 50-cent Pick-4 that returned $361.95. … Brett Beckwith and Joe Bongiorno were next after Miller as each piloted a pair of winners. Bongiorno schooled both of his winners to tie Burke atop the trainer leaderboard with two victories apiece. … The 20-cent Pick-6 came back $8,843.46 for one shrewd player who had the only winning ticket. Winners’ odds for the sequence were 1-2, 6-5, 5-2, 4-5, 36-1 and 14-1. … All-source handle on the 14-race card totaled $2,751,818. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands