Marcus Miller was the leading driver at the Chicago racing ovals before heading east, following the move of his father, top trainer Erv Miller. After improving his accomplishments for the last few years on the Right Coast, in 2016 Marcus had his "breakout season" at the North American level: over $5 million in sulky earnings, a victory in his very first Breeders Crown drive, behind the 2PF Someomensomewhere, and an acquired reputation as a driver who can get the most out of any horse he drives. These qualities led USHWA to vote Marcus Miller the Rising Star Award.
Miller, who went to the gate 2685 times at 15 different tracks in 2016, was in the top ten in earnings at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono, Harrah's Philadelphia, and The Meadowlands, giving quality drives to quality horses – many of whom proved themselves capable of reading neither a tote board nor a racing program. For example, in winning two consecutive Grand Circuit races on October 8 at The Red Mile, Marcus tallied first with Zane Hanover, returning $189.20 for a $2 ticket for his scattered backers, and then followed up twenty minutes later with Chip Walther at $84.80!
Marcus has good-naturedly noted, "I'd rather be the King of the Favorites than the King of the Longshots," but his ability of extracting the most talent out of a lightly-regarded trotter and pacer will surely lead to handling better stock as trainers "catch on" to his overall ability.
In winning the Rising Star Award, Marcus will share the Dan Patch Awards platform with his sister Hannah, who earlier was announced as the North American Amateur Driver of the Year for the second season running.
With Marcus the Rising Star and Hannah the leading Amateur, and David the overall Driver of the Year, it seems as if people named "Miller" have a monopoly on these driving awards. But there is one more sulkysitting winner, and he's not named Miller — but his last name does begin with an "M," and like David Miller (the 1993 Rising Star, by the way) he is from the Buckeye State of Ohio.
Aaron Merriman leading dash winning driver AGAIN!
Another driver to be honored on awards night will be Aaron Merriman, who was the leading driver in North America in terms of wins: at press time his year-end total should rival his personal mark of 874 Victory Lane visits of last season, when he won his first USHWA honor. Driving a demanding schedule of day cards at The Meadows and night races at Northfield Park, the tireless Merriman will win his 2016 crown by over 150 victories.
Merriman is the winningest driver of the "2010's decade" with 4680 victories in the last seven years, and at the still-youthful age of 38 he has amassed 8692 career victories, 21st all-time and 14th among all active drivers.
Marcus Miller, Aaron Merriman, and Hannah Miller will all be feted at the "Night Of Champions," the Dan Patch Awards Banquet Presented by Hoosier Park, which will take place on Sunday, February 26 at the Planet Hollywood hotel/casino in Las Vegas. Information, tickets and room reservation for the banquet and the entire weekend, which will also contain the annual meetings of USHWA, can be found on the communicators' website, www.ushwa.org – including links for making hotel reservations at special rates at Planet Hollywood; banquet tickets; and congratulatory or acknowledgment ads in the keepsake Souvenir Banquet Journal, annually one of the best chronicles of a year in North American harness racing.
From the United States Harness Writers Association