Quote from
Lonnie on June 16, 2026, 9:53 PM
ERV MILLER: WHAT HISTORY TELLS US ABOUT HIS MONDAY DRIVE AT SPRINGFIELD
(Photo of Erv Miller driving Fox Valley Snapper courtesy of Terry Young)
Given that Erv Miller has won 7000 races and $117 million in purses as a Standardbred trainer, it's understandable why racing fans might not immediately think of the word "driver" when his name comes to mind. It's also why track announcers might sound surprised, or even shocked, when uttering the phrase "driven by Erv Miller" during a post parade.
Yet there he was, Monday afternoon at Springfield, driving Fox Valley Snapper to a runner-up finish in a division of the Cardinal Stakes for Illinois-bred three-year-old trotting colts and geldings. The sight likely brought back memories for longtime Illinois racing fans, who watched Miller as an aspiring horseman on the fair circuit in the 1980s and are familiar with the days when he both trained and drove harness horses on a regular basis.
We couldn't resist doing some research and listing some highlights from races Erv Miller has driven in his native Illinois, so let's get to it...
*Monday's race marked the first time Miller had driven in an event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds since August 10, 2013. On that occasion, he finished fifth in an 11-horse field in an Illinois Department of Agriculture race for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings with 10-1 outsider Duty Call.
*Miller's most recent win as a driver on the Springfield track came in the $20,000 Alexander Memorial for three-year-old trotters at the Illinois State Fair on August 16, 2011, when he won with Swan In A Million in 1:55.2.
*Miller had back-to-back driving triples at the Champaign County Fair, in Urbana, in 2007, getting a combined three wins on a doubleheader card on July 24, before returning the next day to win three Topline races on a single program.
*Miller trained Loyal Opposition to more than $2.6 million in career earnings, and racing fans at the Brown County Fair might remember the evening he drove the celebrated mare to a win on the Mt. Sterling oval in 1:56.4. The date was August 3, 2006, and the event was an $18,000 feature for Illinois Conceived and Foaled pacers.
*Miller has enjoyed considerable success at Mt. Sterling as a driver, winning four races there (including three in a row) on August 4, 2004, and scoring a triple on July 30, 2003.
*Another four-win day for Miller in the driving ranks came at the Macoupin County Fair, in Carlinville, on July 21, 2004.
*The Edgar County Fair was the site of one of the most memorable drives of Miller's career, and it happened on July 23, 2003. Miller and his brother Andy hit the wire together in a division of the Egyptian Colt Stakes two-year-old pace that afternoon, resulting in a dead heat for the win. Erv drove Wheeler Dealer, while Andy drove Fox Valley Jammin in a finish which truly was too close to call. Erv is also remembered for driving four winners at Paris on the afternoon of July 21, 1999.
*On October 6, 2002, Erv trained and drove the winners of seven races at the Illinois Standardbred Owners' and Breeders' Association Fall Review at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, in Springfield, including a string of four in a row.
*Miller has also made his presence felt at the DeWitt County Fair, driving five winners at Farmer City on July 17, 2002.
*Monday's appearance marked the first time Miller had driven in the Cardinal Stakes since May 20, 2001, when he finished fourth with M A Sparkle in an elimination of the Cardinal for three-year-old trotting colts and g
eldings at Balmoral Park.
ERV MILLER: WHAT HISTORY TELLS US ABOUT HIS MONDAY DRIVE AT SPRINGFIELD
(Photo of Erv Miller driving Fox Valley Snapper courtesy of Terry Young)
Given that Erv Miller has won 7000 races and $117 million in purses as a Standardbred trainer, it's understandable why racing fans might not immediately think of the word "driver" when his name comes to mind. It's also why track announcers might sound surprised, or even shocked, when uttering the phrase "driven by Erv Miller" during a post parade.
Yet there he was, Monday afternoon at Springfield, driving Fox Valley Snapper to a runner-up finish in a division of the Cardinal Stakes for Illinois-bred three-year-old trotting colts and geldings. The sight likely brought back memories for longtime Illinois racing fans, who watched Miller as an aspiring horseman on the fair circuit in the 1980s and are familiar with the days when he both trained and drove harness horses on a regular basis.
We couldn't resist doing some research and listing some highlights from races Erv Miller has driven in his native Illinois, so let's get to it...
*Monday's race marked the first time Miller had driven in an event at the Illinois State Fairgrounds since August 10, 2013. On that occasion, he finished fifth in an 11-horse field in an Illinois Department of Agriculture race for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings with 10-1 outsider Duty Call.
*Miller's most recent win as a driver on the Springfield track came in the $20,000 Alexander Memorial for three-year-old trotters at the Illinois State Fair on August 16, 2011, when he won with Swan In A Million in 1:55.2.
*Miller had back-to-back driving triples at the Champaign County Fair, in Urbana, in 2007, getting a combined three wins on a doubleheader card on July 24, before returning the next day to win three Topline races on a single program.
*Miller trained Loyal Opposition to more than $2.6 million in career earnings, and racing fans at the Brown County Fair might remember the evening he drove the celebrated mare to a win on the Mt. Sterling oval in 1:56.4. The date was August 3, 2006, and the event was an $18,000 feature for Illinois Conceived and Foaled pacers.
*Miller has enjoyed considerable success at Mt. Sterling as a driver, winning four races there (including three in a row) on August 4, 2004, and scoring a triple on July 30, 2003.
*Another four-win day for Miller in the driving ranks came at the Macoupin County Fair, in Carlinville, on July 21, 2004.
*The Edgar County Fair was the site of one of the most memorable drives of Miller's career, and it happened on July 23, 2003. Miller and his brother Andy hit the wire together in a division of the Egyptian Colt Stakes two-year-old pace that afternoon, resulting in a dead heat for the win. Erv drove Wheeler Dealer, while Andy drove Fox Valley Jammin in a finish which truly was too close to call. Erv is also remembered for driving four winners at Paris on the afternoon of July 21, 1999.
*On October 6, 2002, Erv trained and drove the winners of seven races at the Illinois Standardbred Owners' and Breeders' Association Fall Review at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, in Springfield, including a string of four in a row.
*Miller has also made his presence felt at the DeWitt County Fair, driving five winners at Farmer City on July 17, 2002.
*Monday's appearance marked the first time Miller had driven in the Cardinal Stakes since May 20, 2001, when he finished fourth with M A Sparkle in an elimination of the Cardinal for three-year-old trotting colts and g
eldings at Balmoral Park.
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