“Hurricane Hannah” Miller wins Billings Trot at Freehold Raceway

Freehold, NJ — “Hurricane Hannah” Miller is back where she belongs..at the head of the class. The talented miss and two-time National Amateur Driver of the Year (2015 and 2016) notched her 101st career driving victory Saturday afternoon (Aug. 31) at Freehold Raceway when she guided Fiji to a stunning 2:00.3 come from behind triumph in a $9,000 Eastern Region Billings Trot.

Subbing for usual driver and owner Dave “the Rave” Offenberg, Miller fit her mount like a glove and got him to respond to victory, the horse’s third of the season.

“We left swiftly from the six hole and settled in third along the pylons,” she said. “When I moved him first-up at the half he marched forward toward the leader — Joe Faraldo with Tough Get Going — and slowly Fiji began closing the gap.”

On the final turn Fiji was just a short length behind Faraldo’s trotter.

“We didn’t collar Tough Get Going until we straightened for home but when we did Fiji was strong and in the lane we went on to a (three-quarter length) victory. He was a real pleasure to drive.”

Broadway Bruiser finished third for “Mighty Matt” Zuccarello.

Trained by Eric Abbatiello, Fiji paid $13.00 for win.

During the 2015 season Miller won 32 races and the following year she also won 32. She had 22 winners in 2017, the last year she participated regularly in amateur racing. Now primarily a sales person for equine medications her chances to jump up behind a spirited steed are limited. But when time permits she gets back to what she loves — driving harness horses.

Back to Top

Share via