Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994 TAG: 9406260136
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The 20-year-old Englishwoman was at her most graceful a few minutes later, though, standing on her own two feet behind a set of horse trailers.
That was when she tried to position herself as an underdog in today's $75,000 Rolex Grand Prix of Roanoke after claiming two of the top five spots in Saturday night's Gambler's Choice jumper class.
Miller got what she described as a "perfect" ride aboard Green Card to win the $2,400 first prize, then pocketed an extra $1,000 by coming in fourth on Catch A Wave.
Handicapping minds might figure that since Green Card and Catch A Wave are entered in today's 2 p.m. Grand Prix, they might be among the favorites.
Miller tried to scuttle that talk before it started.
"Who's the one to beat?" she said. "Margie Goldstein. Ask anybody here and they'll tell you the same thing."
The case for Goldstein, one of six riders who have exceeded $1 million in Grand Prix earnings: She and her horses are hot. Earlier this month, she won the Memphis Grand Prix while riding Lacosta. Then she won in Upperville aboard Land of Kings. Both horses will jump today in Salem.
Miller mentioned another possibility.
"Rodney Jenkins," she said. Who's the one to beat? Margie Goldstein. Ask anybody here and they'll tell you the same thing. Vicky Miller Equestrian rider "He's he most experienced rider here. He could pull it out just like that."
The case for Jenkins: He'll be riding Equador and S & L Second Honeymoon, and he has been one of the world's great show-jumpers - winning here four consecutive times in the 1980s. Jenkins, however is coming off a four-year retirement and has been describing himself as "rusty" this week.
Others to keep an eye on include Todd Minikus aboard Thrilling, Michael Endicott on U-Two, Peter Pletcher riding Uncle Sam and David Raposa aboard Alfredo.
Minikus and Thrilling won the 1992 President's Cup at the Washington International Horse Show. Endicott came all the way from California to jump here and it stands to reason that he wouldn't have gone to those lengths if he didn't think he had a pretty good horse.
Pletcher and Uncle Sam have won numerous Grand Prix events. Raposa won here in 1991, although with a different horse, Seven Wonder.
Miller will have three horses in today's competition, Pilot Point being the third. Pilot Point has not shown here this week, although it set an earnings record and was the Rolex/National Grand Prix League Eastern Conference's horse of the year in 1992.
Catch A Wave won Friday's Open Jumper Stake here. As for Green Card, Miller has only had the gelding for about a week on loan from owner Barney Ward.
"I'm still trying to figure him out," she said.
Green Card is a small horse for a jumper - only about 15 hands or so - but he has a big heart. Ward figured the petite Miller would be a perfect rider.
"When I'm on him I feel like I'm on a pony," she said.
The rest of the top five in the Gambler's Choice included Croissant with Ian Silitch in second; Browning and Kim Prince in third; and Minikus and Thrills in fifth. GAMBLERS CHOICE
1, Green Card, Vicky Miller; 2, Croissant, Ian Silitch; 3, Browning, Kim Prince; 4, Catch A Wave, Vicky Miller; 5, Thrills, Todd Minikus; 6, Alfredo, David Raposa; 7, Ace in the Hole, John Fitzgerald; 8, Paddy, Kevin Babington.
by CNB