by Patricia Miller, for the Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association

Hazel Park, MI — A thrilling finish to the Saturday (July 27) Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association race found Kelly Walker in front by a neck, winning in 2:03.4 on another rainy night and sloppy track at Hazel Park.

It didn’t bother Love Ignites, a 4-year-old Sand Vic son, trained by Terry Tomlin and driven to victory by Walker. Joe Cirasuola, last week’s winner, came second with his own Starlitestarbrite, and James McIlmurray, a two-time GLADA winner, got up for the show dough with the Dale Zuziak trainee April Moonlight.

This summer’s heavy downpours continued to drench the track and the amateurs paraded out to race under the remnants of a double rainbow that arched overhead. As the starter yelled go, the seven horse field burst out of the gate and headed for the first quarter mark, set by Starlitestarbrite at :30.4. Walker was right behind him and April Moonlight was parked out in third. Hay Look Out, trained by Robert Miller and in rein to Patricia Miller, was fourth on the rail, and Raceway’s Muscles, trained by June De Russel and driven by Jerry Mihelich, was out in fifth.

The half-mile mark showed Cirasuola still in the lead at 1:01.3 as April Moonlight moved up first over, with Love Ignites in third. Starlitestarbrite held the lead into deep stretch, but Walker and Love Ignites were not to be denied, and the finish camera flash showed Walker over the line in front by a neck.

Walker has had great success in the amateur driving arena and was the national amateur driver of the year two years ago. He was all smiles and said, “I’m very happy with the win. I had the one hole; that helped me get away well and my horse finished strong in the stretch.”

Walker drives his own horses whenever he can and has had success in Michigan and at the eastern tracks. He is a longtime member of the Billings and has won races all around the country as a part of that organization.

Just four GLADA races remain in the season and the champion will win the right to drive at the Fouts Memorial race during Jug week at Delaware. So GLADA drivers, wash those colors up again and get ready to face the starter next Saturday.