Erv Miller: Standing Tall (Harness Racing Trainer)

Erv Miller is difficult to miss around the racetrack; standing at 6-foot-3, the 37-year-old Illinois native is an imposing figure. And over the last five years, his stature has grown as one of harness racing's top trainers. Miller's annual purse earnings have increased steadily from $934,372 in 1999 to a personal best $2.4 million so far this season. He also has set a personal single-year record for wins with 220, a total that ranks third in North America. His .416 UTR also is third.

Loyal Opposition, who has earned $1.6 million lifetime and won the $238,600 Lady Liberty earlier this year, is probably the most recognized name in the Miller stable. But she's not the only top producer for Miller, who has had horses hit the board in 10 races with purses of more than $100,000 this year (and won five of them). Fox Valley Shaker was victorious in the $443,200 Sweetheart at the Meadowlands and second in the $540,617 She's A Great Lady at Woodbine. Fox Valley Flan won the $100,000 American-National for three-year-old filly trotters and was second to Silver Springs in the $130,000 World Trotting Derby, which was shortened to one heat because of rain.

Miller's younger brother, Andy, drives many of the stable's horses. Miller's 15-year-old son, Marcus, this year started driving in amateur races - and has won four of six.

On Saturday night, Miller, who lives and trains in Springfield, will have 14 horses go behind the gate in Super Night championship races at Balmoral Park near Chicago. On Friday afternoon he took a few minutes to chat with Harness Racing Communications.

Harness Racing Communications: You've already surpassed your season highs for wins and earnings, so I guess you've got to be feeling pretty good about this year?

Erv Miller: I've had a good year. We've got more horses and better horses than we've ever had, so it's supposed to get a little better.

HRC: How many horses are you training now, about 100? And how many people do you have working for you?

EM: We're down from 100 now. We've probably got around 70. We have, at times, 33 or 34 people working for us. Now it's probably around 30.

HRC: What's a typical day for you?

EM: I work most of the day, every day. I try to take Sundays to spend time with the family, but other than that it's all hours six days a week. I go from about 6 or 6:30 in the morning to 4 or 5 in the afternoon. If I go race, I try to get out of the barn by 2 or so and spend an hour or so at home before going to the racetrack.

HRC: How many horses do you train or jog in a day?

EM: As many as I can. [Laughs]. It depends on the day. On a heavy training day, I might only jog two or three that I want to sit behind to check out. A heavy training day would be about 30 to 35 horses. I switch horses on trips, so I might drive 10 on their first trips and then another 10 on their second trips.

HRC: How did you get started in racing?

EM: I went to a county fair with my dad [Marvin] as a kid. Growing up Amish, we used horses to get around and out in the fields. I knew about racing before, but I'd never seen it. I saw them race and it hit me right away as something I'd like to do. I drove my first matinee and won, and I was hooked. I was 16 then.

HRC: Did you ever imagine it would reach this level?

EM: No. I never even gave it a thought.

HRC: How did it happen?

EM: [Laughs]. It's just been constant growth and trying to do a good job and get the horses right. I think if you do an honest job for people, it's appreciated. I've never advertised for horses, everything has been word of mouth and getting to meet the right people. We have great owners.

HRC: What's been the highlight of the year for you?

EM: I'd say probably winning the two races, the Lady Liberty and Sweetheart, in New Jersey.

HRC: I know you were a little disappointed when you didn't get to go a second heat in the Filly World Trotting Derby.

EM: I'd have taken a shot at it. I think [Fox Valley Flan] is tough. She seems stronger at the end of miles than anywhere; I wouldn't have minded going another shot. But, it did save my mare. Going maybe another two heats, if we had won the second, would have taken a toll on her coming back here. A lot of times stuff works out for the best even if it's not what you want.

HRC: Who has been the best horse you've had?

EM: According to record and money earned, it would have to be Loyal Opposition. But I show a lot of favoritism to a filly named Incredible Tillie [who earned nearly $1 million in her career]. She went some big miles. She was the first one that I had that was a big-time world champion caliber horse.

HRC: How do you feel about Marcus driving?

EM: I think it's good. Kids need to have something to do. This keeps his mind busy and keeps him out of trouble. But this is a tough business and it's not something I want him to get into without having something to fall back on. He worked with us all summer and he'd stick around every day until we were done. He was another trainer in the barn. He has a real mellow attitude. He doesn't get keyed up when a horse doesn't behave.

HRC: Do you think he has a future as a driver?

EM: He's a pretty big boy [5-9] already, although he's said he's quit growing. You've got to hold your weight down and have a good hand for a horse. You also have to have good communication skills, which is something a lot of drivers don't have. You've got to do the right thing and communicate with the people you're working for.

HRC: Has your height hurt you?

EM: As a driver. A lot of people think I could drive, and I do a little. But I've got too much at stake now to get hurt driving horses and there are others who can do that. Andy does a good job doing that; I don't pursue that part.

.... fom Harness Racing Communications Newsletter.