by Timothy M. Jones, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Rochester, IL — The bulk of the stable may call New Jersey home now, but the remainder at Erv Miller’s base in Springfield are a formidable group. Nine passed their Super Night elimination tests at Balmoral Park last weekend and will head postward in Saturday, Sept. 18th’s finals. Up for grabs are over $1.5 million in purses spread over eight divisions.

Miller thought both of his 2-year-old filly pacers have been good most of the year.

“When Juxa Sister first started out, I thought, ‘Whoa. She’s gonna be as good as some of my best fillies.’ She had that kind of kick at the end of the mile. She’s had some physical ailments though, so we had to take it easy on her — not race her too hard. In her elimination she seemed to be her old self.

“Mystical MJ has raced super all year. In her elimination Marcus (his son and the filly’s driver) told me that there was a line on the track that made her get a little sideways down the lane. But other than that, she raced really good.

“It’s hard to beat the Pardon filly — she’s tough. It’s too bad for Mystical MJ that Pardon’s around this year. But that’s the way it goes,” he said with a laugh.

Dirk Simpson trainee Pardon is undefeated in nine starts and looked as dominant in her elimination as she had all summer. Dependant on a miscue or rough trip, all challengers will have to go through her in the $218,000 Orange & Blue Filly Final.

Dutch Richman is the 3-1 morning line favorite in the Orange & Blue final.

Freshman pacing gelding Dutch Richman caught everyone by surprise with his elimination effort for the $265,000 Orange & Blue Final. A blistering :26.2 last quarter provided a four length margin of victory at the wire in a lifetime best of 1:51.2.

“I’m not surprised he’s a good horse,” Miller opined. “I am surprised he went that fast.

“He’s always trained with plenty of go. But he’s just been an immature colt, not really ready to go week in and week out. Actually, he was on the bubble to even be entered for Super Night because of that immaturity. Last Saturday was a big effort from him, and, in just his third lifetime start.

“Playin For Keeps, Nick Giberson’s colt, full brother to Power Of A Moment, looks like the best in that division now other than our colt.

“I think if Dutch Richman comes back for the final the way he did in the elim he should be right there.”

Mystical Victress (outside) and Cotton Candy (inside) will duel again in the Grandma Ann.

Miller’s trio of entries in the $171,000 Grandma Ann 3-year-old filly pace final is spearheaded by the talented Mystical Victress. She was on a six-race win streak that began July 11 until she was upset August 28 at Du Quoin by stablemate Rolldownthehiway.

“Mystical Victress was phenomenal here in Springfield in the Colt Stakes final. She went a huge trip. That may have taken something out of her for Du Quoin because she didn’t have that same fire.

“Marcus told me she was really good last Saturday though.

“The other mare, Cotton Candy ($100,000 Maywood Pace winner earlier this year), went a huge trip in her elimination. She was parked almost to the half, then cleared to the front and was only beaten by a half-length by Rolldownthehiway. That was a tough trip from the nine hole.

“Rolldownthehiway has been a big surprise — off and on all year. Last Saturday she took advantage of the situation because of the trip Cotton Candy had. She got a good two-hole trip and then snuck up the inside for the win.”

Timothy M. Jones photos

I Am Bonasera will battle again with Power Of A Moment in the Pete Langley.

Power Of A Moment or Iam Bonasera. Iam Bonasera or Power Of A Moment. You could flip flop forever choosing between these two. Power Of A Moment was one of the “chosen few” in the USTA’s Experimental Ratings for 3-year-old colt pacers. Iam Bonasera has the only sub-1:50 clocking of the pair. Both have 12 starts, finishing third or better in 10 of those. Power Of A Moment can race any way you want. Iam Bonasera’s style is a late cavalry charge. Miller thought the latter’s elimination performance for the $173,000 Pete Langley was something special.

“Davey (Magee) told me that the horse will pace in (1):48 if he has to. All he did the other night was pop the plugs to keep him interested.

“Power Of A Moment raced really well also — I just don’t know if he can beat Bonasera. Power seems to be back to his old self now though. He’s the type of horse that can be used up a little bit and still have plenty of pace.”

Miller’s entry in the $115,000 Tony Maurello final for older horse and gelding pacers is He’s Redhot, a 4-year-old in his first season on the racetrack. Primarily campaigning on an eastern swing this year, he’s finished in the top three in 18 of 21 starts. Miller was also pleased with his elimination effort.

“He was sick his last start at Yonkers — scoped bad — so we gave him some time off. He’s another one of those we’ve waited on because of immaturity. He’s a really nice horse who had a good spring, but then tapered off. He can kick home pretty hard. If everything works in his favor, with the right trip he’ll be right there.”

In addition to the nine horses that made Super Night finals, the Miller Stable will also send three to the gate in consolations. Miller is quick to praise the hard work of second trainer Matt Cox and his Springfield staff.

“I haven’t been here (Springfield) all that much this summer. Matt’s done a real good job with this bunch — real well with them.”

Arguably dominant in four divisions, Super Night 2010 at Balmoral Park could be very fruitful for Team Miller. Barring the luck of the draw, or unable to overcome a bad trip, the bus/trailer ride home could be a boisterous one.