Farewell to a Class Act, Hello to a Classy Filly

Class can “walk with kings and keep it's virtue, and talk with crowds and keep the common touch”

This is what I thought of when thinking about Mack Miller.

Such a sad, sad day for the Horse Industry to hear about the passing of the “Gentleman Trainer” Mackenzie Miller, at 89. Though I never met Mr. Miller, I was always “starstruck” when I saw him in the paddock, mostly in NY . Not only known as a gentleman and a class act, he was also referred to as a “Master of the Turf” for his successes in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s with champion turf horses, Assagai, Winter’s Tale, Snow Knight and Hawaii. I had forgotten that he trained  Halo too, but he always said his best horse was Java Gold. Most will remember him for his 1993 Derby/Travers winner Sea Hero, who he trained for his main client at that time, Paul Mellon. They do not seem to make them like Mack Miller anymore. A Legend, a  Hall of Fame trainer, but more importantly, a treasure of a man.

To quote Nick Nicholson, President of Keeneland, "he was an old-fashioned gentleman, living in modern times. He was very honorable, and a very, very special person."

A classy two year old filly emerged yesterday at Hollywood Park. Turbulent Decent won her third in a row, with a decisive and somewhat easy win in the Grade I Hollywood Starlit. The plain bay, by top freshman sire Congrats, answered the two turn question, and showed maturity and class while beating some nice fillies. Her style is to rate kindly and explode in the stretch .We will be looking ahead with enthusiasm to her next start as a three year old.