The driver is on the cusp of winning his first Meadowlands dash title outright and has strong shots in both the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks.

by Debbie Little

Twenty-one years after tying Luc Ouellette for The Meadowlands dash-winning driver title, David Miller is just two race cards away from capturing his second, and this time he stands alone.

What makes the moment perhaps more special to Miller is the timing of it all.

“Believe me, it’s a mind-blowing, storybook-type thing, because, I don’t know if you know, but I bought land in Ohio and they’re building a house right now and next season is going to be my last out here [at The Meadowlands], I’m going to go home,” Miller told HRU.

This is not the first time the Columbus, OH, native has discussed the possibility of moving back to the Buckeye State, but it is the first time he’s put a timeline on it.

“You know, I feel like it’s time, and [the driving title is] kind of amazing because, I’ve always been in the top five or whatever [at The Meadowlands], but I noticed [the standings] last week and I was like, ‘I’m going to get a driving title this late in [my time in New Jersey].’”

The 59-year-old known as “Purple Jesus” was quick to point out that he has no plans to hang up his trademark colors.

“So, I’m not retiring, I’m going to just go to Ohio and race, and not travel. The travel is killing me,” he said.

But the long days, with doubleheaders, isn’t the only thing driving Miller back home.

“I mean, that’s part of it, but [moving back] I’ll see my family way more,” Miller said. “When I came to New Jersey I was married and I had my [oldest] daughter [Devan] and now it’s just me out here, and [going home] I’ll get to see all of my family way, way more and I am just excited about doing that.

“My ex-wife’s family lives in Ohio still, so [younger daughter Leigha and grandson Callen] visit there quite often where they visit me maybe once a year [in New Jersey]. So, I’ll get to see everybody, you know. I’ve got my sister and my other daughter, Devan, she lives there, and I’ve got my cousin [driver] Brett [Miller] and uncles and I’m just ready to go back home.”

Twenty-five years after his inaugural appearance in the top five among leading drivers at The Meadowlands — in only his first full year of competing at the East Rutherford oval — David comfortably sits atop the standings with 84 wins, 15 better than his closest competitors, brothers Andy and Todd McCarthy, who are currently tied for second with 69.

With only two days and a total of 30 races remaining in the Championship Meet that wraps up on Hambletonian Day (Aug. 3), it is mathematically possible for one of the McCarthys to catch David. However, it seems highly unlikely since the current record for driver wins on a Big M card is eight.

Not to mention that David still has his sights set on some more wins before posing for a picture as the Big M’s 2024 top driver.

He’ll enter “the biggest day in harness racing” with legitimate shots to claim the top two prizes.

In the $525,000 Hambletonian Oaks (race 14), David will guide the 9-5 morning-line favorite Elista Hanover from the Annie Stoebe barn.

‘Elista’ comes into the Oaks with a 10-race win streak. Overall, she’s won 10 of 11 this year. 

“I mean, she was just as sharp the other night [in the elims] as she was back in May and June,” David said. “She’s maybe only had a couple more starts than most of them [in the final], but I mean, she’s still fresh and she’s still sharp. I think Annie’s done a great job with her.

“She’s very versatile. I think she races just as great from off of it or on the lead. She’s got a great mental attitude about her.”

Marcus Miller drove Elista for almost all of her starts at 2, but due to a scheduling conflict, David picked her up to start her 3-year-old year.

“And when David qualified her, he’s like ‘Annie, I’m not getting off this horse,’” Stoebe said. “But I always want to give Marcus credit because he’s a big reason she’s doing the things she’s doing right.”

In the $1.05-million Hambletonian, David has T C I, the 5-2 second choice on the morning line, for trainer Ron Burke.

“I thought [T C I] was great [in his Hambletonian elim],” David said. “I’m thinking he’ll be sharp for this Saturday and that’s really all you want. You just want a chance, you just want to have a really good chance, you know?”

Burke said T C I was back to himself in the Hambletonian elims and, “really should progress better this week.”

In regard to T C I’s driver, Burke said, “David is just a steadying influence on young trotters.”

When told what Burke said about him, David said, “That was a nice thing for him to say. It’s been a great ride with both of those horses, and I hope that everything goes well and everybody’s happy [after those races].

“I got a lot of people coming, so hopefully good things happen.”