Dayton, OH—He’s got to win another 11,594 to catch his Uncle David. And 7,030 to catch his cousin Brett. But 21-year-old driver Nick Turley, son of Susie Miller Turley—who is Hall of Fame driver David Miller’s sister—has one very important pari-mutuel win and one he will never forget…his first!
Taking full advantage of the innermost post position, Turley lead gate-to-wire with Cmon Blaze to capture the fourth race at Hollywood Dayton Raceway Thursday night (November 19), eeking out a narrow decision over Ota B D Best (guided by fellow provisional driver Derek Watiker) by a head in 1:55.2.
Sent off at 8-1, Cmon Blaze returned $18 to his $2 supporters and topped a $235.60 exacta.
Turley has worked for prominent Ohio-based trainers Jim Arledge Jr. and Jim Pollock, but now oversees his own three-horse stable at the Circleville, Ohio fairgrounds. Another of his charges, Redbud, won a qualifying race prior to the program, giving the likeable young purple-clad trainer-driver another first—his own “daily double.”
A joyous Turley was overheard saying “It sure took long enough,” as he entered the winner’s circle. Afterwards, he admitted “I didn’t even know I won. It was so close that I thought I might have lost again. But this feels great!”
Asked if he was trying to pattern himself after his Uncle David or cousin Brett Miller, Turley said, “No, they had pretty much left Ohio before I was old enough to understand much about it. I was concentrating on high school sports like wrestling, football and baseball. But I have closely followed their fantastic careers and they have always been my idols.”
From the press box at Dayton Raceway