by Matt Zuccarello, GSY Series Reporter

East Rutherford, NJ — As the Memorial Day holiday weekend began, a familiar face found the winners circle under the bright lights of the Big M Friday (May 26) night. Hannah Miller, driving the post time favorite, Panana Republic, ended up victorious in a mile timed in 1:56.

As several leavers left from their post positions, Miller remained patient, getting away sixth at the first calling. That didn’t last for long as she challenged for the lead before the half-mile marker. It looked like she may have moved prematurely, but in the end she was able to hold on by a desperate nose over a game Winwood Scout, driven by David Glasser. Explosive Man, with Robert Krivelin holding the lines, looked poised to pull off the victory but broke stride in the deep stretch, and wound up seven lengths back to finish third.

It was another exciting amateur event and was Miller’s second win in as many starts in the past two days as the previous evening at Yonkers Raceway, she went on to a two-length score in a Billings amateur event.

Panama Republic is a 6-year-old mare by Kadabra, is owned by Peter Pan Stables Inc. out of Ohio and trained by Chris Marino.

Don’t miss out on the exciting amateur and stakes races next Friday night at the Big M. First post is 7:15 p.m.