‘PLATINUM’ TAKES FEATURE, MILLER WINS FOUR AT BIG M

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Platinum As overcame a tough trip to take the feature and Dave Miller guided four winners – including Platinum As – during Friday night’s 14-race program at The Meadowlands.

When last seen at Ohio’s Dayton Raceway on Dec. 23, Platinum As got roughed up first-over yet managed to hang in there to the wire, finishing third, missing by only a half-length. The trip shipping into The Big M for the $27,500 high-end conditioned trot was even worse, but the result was considerably better.

In the early going, Platinum As was away quickly from post seven in the eight-horse field (there was one scratch) but with leavers to his inside he had to abort his speed mission as Miller backed the 6-year-old gelded son of E L Titan-Jarette As into the four-hole at the quarter.

P L Oscar went first-over to the half to challenge leader Eurobond with Platinum As picking up a live tow. Eurobond was unwilling to yield the point, however, and as P L Oscar began to weaken, Miller moved Platinum As three-wide at the five-eighths.

“The trip was going good,” said the Hall of Fame pilot. “When Johnthan [Ahle, driving P L Oscar] moved his horse, I thought he was clearing, but Brett [Beckwith, driving Eurobond] changed his mind and left him out there, so I was like, oh man, I’m three deep, but he was pretty game.”

Platinum As was forced to continue three-wide all the way around the far turn before moving to the lead just after they straightened up at the head of the stretch, then went on to a safe neck win over a fast-closing Ferretti in 1:54.4. The top two finishers reside in the Anette Lorentzon barn. Eurobond held third.

“I drove him out here last winter and won with him,” said Miller. “They keep telling me he’s a little tricky but really he’s not. I’ve only raced him twice and he got the lead the last time. He does have a little back class to him and he’s gone some big trips. He raced tough tonight.”

Owned by ACL Stuteri AB, Platinum As now has 18 wins from 68 career starts, good for earnings just shy of $320,000. As the 4-5 favorite, he returned $3.60 to win.

A LITTLE MORE: Miller’s other winners came with Racing Money ($4.60 to win) in the fourth race; Sidd Finch ($3) in the 12^th; and High Baller ($6.60) in the 13^th. … A 20-cent Pick-6 carryover of $3,699 led to a total pool of almost $24,000. After a sequence that saw four winning favorites, those with all correct collected $177.18. … All-source wagering totaled $3,050,856, giving The Big M consecutive $3-million Fridays. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m.

PHOTO: Platinum As takes the Friday night feature at The Meadowlands, one of four winners on the night for driver Dave Miller. (Credit: Lisa Photo)