by Dave Bianconi, publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Brett Miller etched his name in Northfield’s and harness racing’s all-time record book with 10 winning drives on Northfield Park’s 13-race program on Wednesday night, April 11.

Mark Hall photo

Brett Miller won 10 races on Wednesday at Northfield.

The 10-bagger tied the all-time record for driving victories on a single racing program at a commercial racetrack. The feat was accomplished twice at Northfield by Walter Case, Jr. (1999 and 2002), twice by Dave Palone at The Meadows (1999 and 2002) and at Northfield by Greg Grismore (2004).

When county fair racing is considered, driver Roger Hammer won 11 races at the York (Pennsylvania) County Fair in 2003. Brett Miller’s cousin, David Miller, also had a 10-victory day at the Delaware (Ohio) County Fair in 2003.

On an unseasonably cold night during what has been a well-documented horrendous stretch of spring weather in Northeast Ohio (just ask the Cleveland Indians), Brett Miller kicked off the Wednesday evening card at Northfield by winning the first four races. His mounts finished sixth and fourth in the next two races, but then Brett rebounded with back-to-back wins to raise his tally to six victories through eight races. He led all but the last step of the ninth race when his charge was nailed at the wire in a photo finish. He then ended the 13-race program just as he began it — with four straight victories to equal the all-time mark.

He matched the record with Frank Scarl-trainee Cadillac Connection in the final event of the night, romping home by a six length margin. The rain-and-mud-soaked reinsman was all smiles in the winner’s circle saying, “I was lucky to drive some good horses tonight, and I managed to put them in some good spots.”

He was also honored to be in the company of some of the sport’s best drivers, with whom he now shares the record. “I love all those guys, and have grown up driving against them.”

A 33-year-old native of Columbus, Ohio, Brett Miller raised his lifetime victory total 4,240 on Wednesday night, good for over $20.7 million in purses.

His winning charges from Wednesday night (with $2 win payoffs) were: Denarius Evergreen ($2.60), The Tracemonster ($5.20), Liftoff Bayama ($3.20), Wheeler Dealer ($12.80), Barus Spit N Image ($3.80), Paradise Ragtime ($3.60), Mr Star ($3.40), One Awesome Lavec ($4.40), Hoosier Tiger ($3.40) and Cadillac Connection ($4.40).