Four horses will compete in the Elizabeth Miller Memorial Tuesday, Oct. 2 at Monticello Raceway.
The racing under saddle event will go for a purse of $1,500 to be distributed evenly per New York state law.
Starting on the rail will be Cathy Gearwar and Railroad Lane. The 4-year old is owned by another rider in the race, but Gearwar has had some experience racing him throughout the season as her own horse was off for the summer healing from an injury. Railroad Lane had three riders throughout the season and only made the winner’s circle once this season at Hemlock Fair. The Chip Chip Hooray gelding was the RUS NY Fair Series high point horse in 2017 and his fastest recorded time under saddle is a 2:05.0 mark at Tioga Downs. Railroad Lane is trained by Elizabeth’s grandson Michael Miller.
In post No. 2 will be Micehlle MIler, granddaughter of Elizabeth. She will be riding 15-year-old Conway Hall gelding Choke Hold. Choke Hold had to be retired from harness racing in January and was acquired by owner and trainer Michelle Miller to continue a racing career under saddle since there is no age limit like in harness. Choke Hold has yet to see the winner’s circle being raced under saddle but showed to be competitive at the RUS New York Fair final when placing second after being parked out most of the mile. His biggest disadvantage is he is the only one in the race not still racing in harness so it is more challenging to keep him “race tight.” Miller said she has put a lot of work into keeping him in top form for the race between shipping him to Vernon to train, jogging him and taking him on a 12-mile trail ride.
In post No. 3 will be Hillary Hartnett and her 4-year-old gelding RC’S Ready. RC came on strong at the end of the season having picked up two wins. He placed third with the same time of 2:10.3 as the fourth place finisher Railroad Lane in the fair final held at Monticello Raceway Sept. 5. This horse can leave the gate and is good gaited, the biggest challenge will be maintaining the lead to the finish if he decides to become the pace setter. According to owner and rider Hartnett, RC is learning each outing and “only getting better as he gains self confidence.” RC is trained by Elizabeth’s son Wesley Miller.
In post No. 4 will be Sophie Engerran and her 10-year-old chestnut Funny Photo. This duo has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the past having captured two track records. The pair won the 2018 RUS New York Fair Series Final in a time of 2:02.4 surpassing a 2:05.4 racing under saddle track record at Monticello Raceway previously held by Glorious Winner. In 2015, Engerran piloted Funny Photo for trainer Andy Gardner and co-owners Mo Coo Inc. and Jonathan Klee Racing to a North American seven-eighths-mile track standard of 1:59.0. The duo put together a 2:06.3 victory at Goshen Historic Track this season. However, this year the biggest challenge has been staying flat. If Engerran can manage that task, the Classic Photo gelding should be the horse to beat.
To learn more about Miller read some of her obituary:
PITTSFIELD — Elizabeth H. (Liz) Miller, 67, of Pittsfield, went to be with our Lord on Monday, Oct. 2, 2000.
She was born Feb. 26, 1933, in Oneonta, the daughter of James Averell Holl and Mary L. Wilson.
She was married to Lewis (Lukie) Miller on March 25, 1951, in New Berlin.
Liz was the cafeteria manager at the Morris Central School for 29 years which she enjoyed very much.
She was a lifelong resident of the New Berlin/Morris area, where she lived most of her life on the family dairy farm that she and her husband operated for nearly 50 years. She also worked and maintained the family's harness horses and the auction and feed store businesses.
She was an active part of the Otsego County Fair and secretary of the N.Y.S. Sires Harness Racing Association for many years.
She was also a 25-year member of the Unadilla Grange and the Otsego County Pomona Grange.
Liz lighted the hearts of many and will be terribly missed.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 50 years, Lukie Miller of Pittsfield; her children, Timothy L. Miller and his wife, Vicky, Terry L. Miller and his wife, Lisa, Lois Miller-Ballard and her husband, John, Wesley J. Miller and Mary Jane E. Conroe and her husband, Jeff, all of New Berlin.
She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Everett (Flip) Hopper, Kevin S. Hopper, Melissa J. Hopper, Tonya M. Miller, Timothy L. Miller Jr., Michelle N. Miller, Sarah E. Conroe, Jessica L. Card, Luke M. Conroe, Merissa L. Card, Michael D. Miller, Matthew. J. Conroe and Makenzie L. Ballard; three sisters-in-law, Mildred I. Chase, Margaret Conklin and Ethel White; and a brother-in-law, Donald Miller; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by a brother-in-law, Harley W. Miller; and a sister-in-law, Aleta Smith.
