all in The Sport

When MacKenzie Miller was a young man, he made a gallant effort to follow a “traditional” career path, one encouraged by his father. He started college, but didn’t graduate. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, but didn’t make a career of the military.

Instead, “Mack” Miller followed his passion and turned to training Thoroughbred racehorses. When he retired on his own terms in 1995, no one could deny that he had chosen the right path.

A historian might be needed to find the last time a trainer skipped a Triple Crown race in favor of a prep race for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve.

Yet here in 2020, with the world facing problems no one could have foreseen from the COVID-19 pandemic, that exact set of circumstances unfolded June 6 and the man who made that decision was delighted at the way it turned out.

Vekoma, a high-class runner at 2 at 3, is now a Grade 1 winner as a 4-year-old.

He was a "freak" before the label was coined. A colt with uncommon desire and dash, Dr. Fager put away swift horses with relative ease. Headstrong and maniacally competitive, any horse that dared to pass him risked being lunged at and savaged. When the leggy bay wanted the lead there was no one to stop him.

The 2020 Runhappy Carter Handicap drew a powerful group of 11 entrants vying for a victory in the prestigious race as well as a starting spot in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint this November at Keeneland.

newsletter sign-up

Stay up-to-date with the best from America's Best Racing!

Request Information

Please fill out the form below to request information about race horse ownership.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube