A UDRS of .923 is quite improbable in today’s harness racing environment. Yet, its’ fact for veteran horseman George K. Miller, also owner/operator of Pine Hill Stable in Cohocton, NY.
Miller, who holds a fair/qualifying license, has earned 12 wins in 13 starts this year at the NY Fairs, all with his colts, trotter Thanks For Playin (3m Lucky Chucky-Olympic Cheers-American Winner) and the pacer Americanation (3m American Ideal-Cool World-Nihilator), a colt that Miller bred and raised.
Americanation has a 11-2-0 slate in 19 starts for $32,517 earned this year. With a record of p,3, 1:54f, the Americanation/Miller team this week lowered the track record at Trumansburg for trainer Jeff Johnson Jr., timed in 1:59.3h.
The trotter Thanks For Playin 3, 1:57.3s, now has a 12-1-3 slate in 19 starts for $29,964 earned.
Miller’s career results as a driver shows 19 wins and five second place finishes in 33 career drives.
Where did Miller come from in the sport?
As often the case, Miller was introduced to standardbreds by his father, owner/operator of Robert Miller Co., a racing fan who first bought a horse from Glen Garnsey.
George joined his father after graduating from high school and worked in the family farm machinery business until starting work at Rodney Farm in 1990.
He served there as Farm Manager and later established Pine Hill Stable on land adjoining the family business.
Miller learned standardbred breeding from Barbara Galbraith and today obtains advice and assistance of son Michael Miller, DVM and Henderson Veterinary Associates.
Michael serves as in-house veterinarian at Crawford Farms and previously completed an internship at Hanover Show Farms.
The Miller (wife Laurie too) team’s experience is effective, as Pine Hill has gotten over 90% of client and farm owned mares in foal over the past five years.
George K. Miller is next listed to drive August 30 at Saratoga in a NYCFS, handling Americanation.
His skills as farm operator, breeder and owner/driver are unique and should be respected in an era of specialization.
Be there to see George K in action.
Thomas H. Hicks