Northfield, OH – The Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) was back in action on Tuesday (Oct. 14) at MGM Northfield Park and it was “Miller Time” in the winner’s circle as Edward Miller guided Stumpy to a handy win in 1:58.3.
The 5-year-old altered son of What The Hill got picture-perfect handling from Miller as Stumpy was alert off the wings from post six, following in the hoof prints of Baby Yoda one slot in with Ryan Deaton in the sulky.
These two favorites settled in “exacta” order with 43-1 outsider Fox Valley Nautica next for Larry Ferrari during opening panels of :28.4 and :59.2.
On the backside approaching the third station, Miller and Stumpy left the cozy pocket, looked the leader in the eye turning for home and drew away late to win by two lengths.
Vroom N Vonnie was fourth for Eric Miller while Last Of Braggert, with Todd Smith handling the lines, picking up the nickel in the octet of trotters.
Owned by Allen Miller, Stumpy returned $3, “not quite enough to buy a ‘Miller’ here,” said one fan but cashing the ticket “is better than throwing an empty cup—the ticket—away.”
“It wasn’t quite coast-to-coast,’’ said Miller in a post race interview, “but he (Stumpy) was in a good spot going in and I tried to put him in a good spot once the wings opened up.”
The Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association is just one of several amateur driving clubs whose members donate 100% of their driving earnings for charitable distribution to causes such as community affairs, equine rehabilitation and second careers in therapeutic situations aiding children as young as 2-years-old to senior citizens with disabilities.