by Mike Paradise, for the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association

Du Quoin, IL — Power Of A Moment guns for his third consecutive major state-bred championship Saturday (Sept. 5) in the $80,000 Governor’s Cup Final for 2-year-old male pacers at the Du Quoin State Fair. And while it’s been a fast and successful learning experience for the Erv Miller freshman trainee, you could say the same for his 20-year-old driver, Marcus Miller.

In his first full season as a catch-driver on the Chicago circuit Miller guided Power Of A Moment to a bit of an upset win in the $71,000 Mini Me Final on August 1 at Balmoral, popping at 6-1 in 1:53.1, a race where the heavy 3-5 favorite and his chief rival Voomerang went off stride.

Balmoral Park photo

Power Of A Moment looks to add Saturday’s $80,000 Governor’s Cup Championship at the Du Quoin State Fair to his resume.

Two weeks later Power Of A Moment lowered his career mark to 1:52.1 in his State Fair elimination at Springfield. And on August 20 the youngster raced first over when he gained a neck decision over the pacesetting Voomerang, only this time Power Of A Moment was the overwhelming 3-5 public’s choice.

What makes Power Of A Moment so good?

“He’s the gamest horse I’ve ever driven,” answered Miller. “He just always wants to win. He keeps racing first up and kept right on trucking. The colt can take air but he’s also really quick. In his first couple of qualifiers at Springfield he paced quarters in :25.4 and :26 flat. He’s fast but he can also grind it out.”

Is he strictly a come-from-behind horse?

“He’s been racing from behind because that’s just how it has worked out so far,” Miller replied. “Roger’s (Welch) horse (Voomerang) leaves a lot so there’s no point in battling him early because we’re racing the whole mile.

“We didn’t race Power Of A Moment very hard early. He did race at both of the previews at Springfield in June but we didn’t bring him up to Chicago right away. In his first non-winners of one I just ducked him and raced him for home. Bringing him along slowly is paying off for him now.”

A son of Cole Muffler, Power Of A Moment is out of the Abercrombie broodmare Panfastic, and sold for $25,000 at the 2008 Cottonwood Sale to Erv Miller, Leland Mathias and Bert Hochsprung.

“I believe his mare has had four babies before Power Of A Moment and they’ve all taken records and have been race horses,” noted Miller.

Miller was correct. Panfastic’s first foal was Pandemonius (1:51.2). Then came My Perfect Rhyme (1:50.1), Vapor In The Wind (1:50) and Avalon’s Z Tam (1:54.2).

Miller won his first driving title at the recent Illinois (Springfield) State Fair, just a couple of miles away from his home in Sherman, Ill.

“It was a blast following my uncle (Andy Miller) by winning the Springfield driving title,” continued Miller. “I thought I was going to have a good meet at Springfield but at the beginning of this year I didn’t know I would have as much success that I’m having, especially with some of these 2-year-olds.

“Thinking back and remembering what I knew as a driver a year ago I’m surprised that I even won a race. But last year I was thinking the same thing about the year before. Going out there night after night and gaining experience keeps me improving as a driver. You’re always learning and when you start winning it helps build your confidence.”

Power Of A Moment and his stablemate Iam Bonasera (Brandon Simpson) won their Governor’s Cup eliminations in 1:51.4 and 1:51.1, respectively, last Monday afternoon. Power Of A Moment drew the nine post in the 10-horse Governor’s Cup Final, while Iam Bonasera landed the three. They will race uncoupled because of different ownership.

Editor’s Note: Mike Paradise writes a daily column for the I.H.H.A. at www.harnessillinois.com.