Harness Legend Dies

Del Miller, considered harness racing’s ambassador of goodwill and an innovator who helped promote it around the world, died Monday in Washington, Pa., after a long illness. He was 83.

Miller was the winner of 2,442 races and $11 million in purses.

Believed to be the only professional sportsman to compete in eight decades, Miller was involved in every aspect of harness racing, first as a driver, later as a trainer, owner and breeder. He drove his first race at age 15 in 1929 while playing hooky from high school, and his last one in 1990 at age 77.