David Miller became the all-time leading driver for North American purses on Wednesday (Feb. 11) at Miami Valley Raceway, surpassing the previous record of $299.89 million set by Hall of Famer John Campbell, who retired in 2017.
Miller entered the day needing $2,895 to eclipse Campbell’s mark. Miller broke the record when trotter My Next Chapter finished third in the second race on Wednesday, advancing Miller’s purse $1,066 to $299,893,207.
“It means quite a bit,” Miller said in an interview with the USTA’s Wendy Ross on Tuesday (Feb. 10) as he reflected on approaching the record. “It’s quite an achievement. I never dreamed I would end up in this situation.
“It’s very satisfying. It’s a big milestone and I’m proud to be able to do this.”
Campbell, now the president and CEO of the Hambletonian Society, congratulated Miller in a video message after the race.
“I have always had tremendous respect for you as a driver, as a person and as a friend,” Campbell said. “To many more millions to you David. Congratulations.”
The 61-year-old Miller, who was inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2014, earned his first career win in 1981. The Columbus, Ohio, native finished that year with four wins and $1,891 in purses.
After a string of six top-25 finishes in the North American purse from 1993-1998, Miller moved to the East Coast and finished in the top five in 25 of the next 27 seasons before returning to Ohio late last year. He has won a record $10 million in prizes in a season 18 times, including 2003, when he guided Horse of the Year No Pan Intended to the Pacing Triple Crown, finishing the campaign with a North American lead of $11.49 million.
“It makes it special,” Miller said of coming home to Ohio. “Twenty minutes away was the circuit where I started. It’s quite nice to break it here.”
Miller, who entered Wednesday with nearly 14,900 victories, ranking fifth among drivers in North American history, has been honored as Driver of the Year by the US Harness Writers Association three times: in 2003, 2015 and 2016.
Among his many career highlights, Miller has won the Little Brown Jug five times, the most in history; and captured 30 Breeders Crown finals, tied for third in the series.
“I’m so blessed,” Miller said. “I’ve been very lucky. I couldn’t be happier with the way things have gone in my career.”
Through Ken Weingartnerfor the USTA
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