Northfield, Ohio – The Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) kicked off its 2026 season on Sunday (July 5) with a pair of veterans, Lavern Miller and JD Yoder, reaching the winner’s circle with the veteran trotter Bo Nanza Chip.
Both driver Miller and trainer Yoder will be 74 years young in August, celebrating one day apart, while Bo Nanza Chip, at age 10, won for the 36th time in a career spanning 178 starts.
This was a classic, hard-fought duel to the wire as Miller, beginning from the second tier 9 post, was away mid-pack as Threefiftytwo, driven by Cameron Kina, took charge from the rail with Nacho Rodeo (post 3) in the garden spot.
After a :28.1 opener, Bo Nanza Chip began a first-over jaunt and reached third halfway through the mile in :58.2.
The pace quickened somewhat during the third stanza as Threefiftytwo continued to lead with Bo Nanza Chip grinding a length away at three-quarters in 1:28, with Nacho Rodeo looking for some room to roam.
In the lane, Bo Nanza Chip finally got by Threefiftytwo while Nacho Rodeo found some sailing late but fell short by a half-length as Bo Nanza Chip hit the line in 1:58.
Threefiftytwo did finish third while Game On Girls finished fourth for Lauren Harmon with Esteso and Don Sherman teaming up to get the nickel.
In a post-race interview, Miller, a Kalona, Iowa native, is in his 50th year as an “amateur” driver and said about the win, “‘Bo’ is just a real nice veteran horse — trustworthy, I would say — who gives all he’s got.
“I wasn’t worried about the second tier because I knew we’d get away along the rail and, probably, mid-pack.
“That’s just what happened and the pace appeared to be a little slow during the second quarter, so I decided to pull and tough it out first-up.
“He just kept grinding away and got it done, a very good mile for the both of us, actually for the three of us, including my second cousin, JD Yoder, who trains him and owns him.
“I come from Kalona, Iowa, a small town of 3,500 back then. Shows you that harness racing can reach all over the world!”
Miller earned his 89th career victory — first this semester — as did Bo Nanza Chip, who vaulted his career bankroll to $176,706.
In a closely knit field, Bo Nanza Chip was fourth choice in the betting and returned $10.40 to his faithful.
GLADA is a philanthropic club whose members donate 100% of their earnings driving in their events to charitable organizations, including equine aftercare and therapy horse training.