Balmoral Park

Contact: Tom Kelley
(708) 672-1414

Miller Trainees Loaded with Talent in Grandma Ann Stake

Mystical Victress was part of a huge night for driver Marcus Miller and trainer Erv Miller as she grabbed top honors in one of two Grandma Ann Stake eliminations.

Trainer Ervin Miller will have a trio of talented fillies lining up behind the gate for tonight's $171,000 Grandma Ann Stake Final for three-year-old pacing fillies.

Leading the way among this trifecta of sophomore distaffers is Mystical Marker Farms and Peggy Hood's Mystical Victress who cruised to an effortless 1 ½ length victory in 1:51.2 in last week's elimination. Last year's Filly Orange & Blue runner-up has been a terror in her two seasons of racing, posting 15 victories, two seconds and three thirds in 23 starts with earnings of more than $212,000.

"I definitely think she could have gone a lot more if she needed to," said Marcus Miller who will once again handle the driving chores for his dad Erv. "She was roughed up a bit in Springfield when she won in 1:50.4 and then was the victim of a bad post in DuQuoin so I didn't want to be to hard on her in this elimination."

The daughter of Sportsmaster has also shown a great deal of versatility this season, winning the Hanover and Ann Vonian Stakes while coming from off the pace and then taking the Ann Vonian elimination and State Fair Stake final from an up-close position.

"I really think that's one of the reasons she's had so much success," explained Miller. "She tries so hard every time you send her out there, she's 100 percent sound and she can get the job done any way you want her to."

Rolldownthehiway captured the other Grandma Ann elimination to give conditioner Ervin Miller a clean sweep and this daughter of Cole Muffler always seems to be in the thick of things when the big money is on the line. Prior to her elimination score the career winner of more than $130,000 for the Tanah Merah Farms and Erv Miller Stables took home top honors in the $20,000 Time Dancer Stake in DuQuoin. A model of consistency throughout her two seasons, Rolldownthehiway has been on the board in 27 of 33 career starts.

Cotton Candy is the other Miller representative in the Grandma Ann. Unraced as a two-year-old, this daughter of Sportsmaster has enjoyed a big three-year-old season posting five wins, four seconds and three thirds with almost $95,000 in earnings. Included in her victories are wins in an ISOBA Stake here at Balmoral Park and the Filly Maywood Pace at Maywood Park.

Saturday’s Super Night card will have a special post time of 7:00 pm. Tickets are available for Illinois’ biggest night of racing by calling (708) 672-1414 or by visiting www.balmoralpark.com.