by Patricia Miller, for the Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association

Hazel Park, MI — Driving the Bob Rowland trainee Marquesas, a 6-year-old gelding by Andover Hall, last year’s Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association champion Richard Roach took home the gold on another steamy night of racing on Monday (July 15) at Hazel Park.

A fast track awaited and a big crowd cheered the drivers on as Roach tripped the camera in 1:59. Closely following up for second was Kelly Walker, driving the Terry Tomlin trainee Love Ignites, and the show dough was pocketed by driver Jeff Pickvet, who trains and owns his perennial favorite trotter Mylittlej.

It was a dark and stormy night, again, but the track remained fast and the horses were flying. Rolls of thunder announced the post parade of eight excited amateurs who were ready to go for it all. A mad dash from the gate left two parked out and six on the rail and the leader Smokin Steven, in rein to Mike Mitchell, had his pedal down and posted a :28.1 quarter time, while the eventual winner Marquesas held down second. Jerry Mihelich raced Soloist out in third, and Steve Oldford zipped along the rail with Dojea Delight in fourth. Majestic View with Joe Cirasuola took in the view out in fifth place.

Mihelich moved up to first over at the half time of :57.3, just a head beyond Smokin Steven. Roach kept his patience with Marquesas, who was now in third and watched how the racing was unfolding as the trotters tore around the final turn and sprinted for home.

Walker swung three wide with Love Ignites and Oldford was out and going hard in fifth. Soloist seemed bound for glory but began to fade after a long outside trip as the other horses dug in for the finish. Majestic View was still out three wide and trying hard in third but went off stride, ending his chances.

Long time favorite Mylittlej found another gear, to say the least, racing seventh at the three-quarter pole and moving up to fifth in the stretch and then finishing for the show spot. That had to bring a big smile to the owner, trainer and driver Jeff Pickvet.

Roach was all smiles as always after a win, blue eyes shining with a soft humble manner. Roach had won the Hazel Park Billings just the week before and now was in the winner’s circle again on a different trotter.

“The horse was calm and relaxed on the rail and I was lucky to get away well with others parked outside me,” said Roach. “We just waited them out and when Smokin Steven began to roll, I tipped Marquesas out and asked for speed and I got it. He’s a fine horse and a pleasure to drive.”

Trainer Bob Rowland was beaming and laughing in the barn and very happy with the horse’s win. He said the horse is a great animal to be around, calm and pleasant, and always looking everywhere for carrots.

Marquesas has raced at Toledo and Hazel Park and has several wins under his girth this season. I told Rowland that Roach was happy to have such a nice trotter to drive, and with a hearty laugh, Rowland joked, “Roach should be grateful. I let him drive my good horse.”

In that spirit of friendship and camaraderie, GLADA succeeds in bringing horsemen and amateur drivers together every week. GLADA is so thankful that horsemen join in and put their trotters in and the drivers up each week. It makes for great racing and fan support along with an exciting race for Hazel Park’s race secretary Ladd Biro to card.

On to next week; the days are dwindling down for big wins as summer rolls along. Who will be the champ? And most important, who will be the lucky scholarship winners that GLADA supports each year? Stay tuned.