Bay colt by Western Hanover – Aberdakara – Abercrombie


BREEDERS: David McDuffee, Nashua, NH

OWNERS: Shannon De Pinto, Cream Ridge, NJ and Earl Smith, Millstone, NJ

STATISTICS:
2010 5 1 2 1 $70,496
2009 10 4 1 1 $69,201
Totals 15 5 3 2 $139,697

LIFETIME MARK: 3, 1:49, Mohawk

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS & NOTES:
Purchased for $30,000 at Harrisburg Sale in November 2008

At two:
• Broke maiden at the Meadowlands on August 20 in 1:53
• Set season mark of 1:52.3 at The Meadows on September 3
• Finished fourth, six and one-half lengths behind Rock N Roll Heaven, in Bluegrass, October 3 at Lexington

At three:
• Finished third to Cup rival One More Laugh in Rooney final at Yonkers on June 12
• Won Cup elim on June 19 at Mohawk by a neck over One More Laugh in career best 1:49


ELIMINATION QUOTES: Cosmo (Sam) De Pinto, Trainer

“The race was wide open but I was confident in him coming into it. He tripped out nice and Brett (Miller) did a magnificent job with him. Everything just fell into place perfectly.”

“This horse actually won all of his starts first up or making his move to the lead in the backstretch. He just always digs in late. He has to be somewhere near the front and, when he is, he is dangerous. He can go with anybody.”

“If we get the choice, we’ll definitely be taking post 1 again in the final”

“He’s a playful colt. On the track, he’s on the lazy side. He is a beautiful individual and just a pleasure to be around. He is also a very sound colt”

“This is awesome to be back here. This is one of the best feelings in the world. It’s what you work for, these kind of races, you know. I’m really happy and proud to be in it.”


Trainer – Cosmo De Pinto
Career wins through June 21, 2010: 228
Career earnings through June 21, 2010: $3,154,686

• Cosmo ‘Sam’ De Pinto is presently based at Gateway Farm in New Jersey. Originally from Cream Ridge, NJ, he has nine horses in training.
• Prior to star sophomore Artesian (who finished in a dead-heat for second in the 2003 North America Cup), the best horse he claims to have trained is Jaguars Lady (p,3,1:52.1-$200,371).
• Sam grew up on a standardbred farm and later followed his father into harness racing. He was a freshman in high school when his Dad bought a couple of horses, “handed them to me and said ‘They are yours, take care of them.’”
• De Pinto wanted to play football and wrestle in high school but didn’t have the opportunity. Before he went out on his own, he worked for Mickey Lamb. Last Saturday’s elimination night was the first time De Pinto had been to Woodbine - “It’s a beautiful facility, great people, I love everything about it.”
• De Pinto has career earnings over $3 million and will look for his first North America Cup victory Saturday night
.

Driver – Brett Miller
Age: 36
Career wins through June 21, 2010: 5,114
Career earnings through June 21, 2010: $30,169,601

• Brett Miller, a 36-year-old native of Columbus, Ohio has never wanted to do anything but train and drive horses, and he certainly grew up in the right family to do so.
• His father is driver-trainer Del S. Miller, who, for years, has plied his wares at the Ohio raceways and his cousin, David Miller, is one of the top drivers in the United States.
• The young reinsman has had seasons of $1+million every year beginning in 2000, with his best season coming in 2009, when he steered the winners of well over $4 million. Miller already has earnings over $2 million in 2010.
• Brett etched his name into harness racing's all-time record book with 10 winning drives on Northfield Park's 13-race program on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.
• Wither over $30 million in career earnings, Miller now resides in Washington, PA were he is a regular driver at The Meadows.