West Coast trainer Miller plans larger presence in Kentucky
After Spiced Perfection’s neck victory over Amy’s Challenge in Saturday’s Madison Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, trainer Peter Miller said he intends to run the mare back at Churchill Downs.
“Always good to win on the road,” Miller said. “Always great to win in Kentucky.”
The California-based conditioner may be looking for more of that in the near future.
Miller, who also trains 2019 Kentucky Derby contender Gray Magician, also mentioned targeting a turf sprint on Derby weekend in a division he has dominated out West.
“I’m thinking the way things are going in California, we’re going to be a lot more visible here in Kentucky,” Miller said, with issues of safety, medications and whip rules, among other debates, continuing at Santa Anita Park.
“Great racing institutions and tracks and people — so I’m looking forward to running a lot more in Kentucky in the next year or two.”
Miller stopped short of saying he’d keep a string full-time in Kentucky but is keeping some noteworthy stakes runners East. He operates primarily out of the San Luis Rey Downs Training Center in Bonsall, Calif., where in December of 2017 wildfires spread to barns, forcing an evacuation.
Miller’s time in Kentucky has been less stressful, with Spiced Perfection, now a multiple Grade 1 winner, targeting the Humana Distaff (G1) on Kentucky Derby day.
“We haven’t worked out all the particulars of how many stalls and where we’re going to be,” Miller said. “I don’t know if we’re going to be here (at Keeneland) and ship over to Churchill, or what the story is.”
Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable and Peter Deutsch acquired the 4-year-old California-bred Spiced Perfection after her breakout victory in the La Brea (G1) on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita, transferring from Brian Koriner to Miller. She then ran second in Laurel Park’s Barbara Fritchie (G3) before taking the Madison.
Also Saturday, Miller saddled at Keeneland Conquest Tsunami (11th) and Richard’s Boy (13th) in the Shakertown (G2). They could go on to the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G3) on Derby weekend.