by Patricia Miller, for the Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association

Hazel Park, MI — Miss Tiger Lily left the gate with a roar and driver Larry Steenbergen took her straight to the top in Monday night’s (June 17) Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association race at Hazel Park.

She wired the field in 2:01.2 for Steenbergen’s first GLADA win under wild storm clouds but no rain for once. Miss Tiger Lily is a 10-year-old mare by Minister Of Doom, owned by Harry Sheeders, Wendy Cox and George Ursitti and trained by Ursitti.

On an evening of upsets, last week’s winner Mike Mitchell nearly scored a second victory with his drive on Smokin Steven, trained by John Bangert, who finished a very close second. Last year’s champ Richard Roach was up for third on the Jeff Pickvet trainee Crown Glory.

Minus mud gear, goggles and dirt screens, the GLADA drivers paraded on a fast dry track with the distant sound of tornado sirens in their ears, but their eyes focused on the start car.

As the gate broke, so did two trotters, including the favorite, and the field raced out and away at full speed. Steenbergen had the rail at the quarter in :28.2 with Garbarino, in rein to Maurice Goldschmidt, parked out in second, Roach’s drive Crown Glory in third and Pat Currie’s own Lock Her N Cruz in fourth on the rail. Smokin Steven huffed and puffed in fifth right behind her.

Miss Tiger Lily raced by the half-mile timer in 1:00 and led on to the three-quarters in 1:30.3 for well rated quarters by Steenbergen. Accelerating trotters tore down the stretch toward the wire with Smokin Steven up in second and Crown Glory making her move on Garbarino and catching him just at the wire for third.

And the crowd went wild as they say, cheering on the field to a fast close finish.

Steenbergen was all smiles and excited about the close win.

“She’s a fast little mare and can really leave,” he said. “That fast start ahead of the field was the key to the win. I drove her a couple of times last year in the Billings and she can really go.”

Steenbergen is a long time Billings driver and accomplished in the sulky and is enjoying his summer racing at Hazel Park.

Another exciting race, a new winner, and close finish — what more could a race fan want?

GLADA thanks Hazel Park and especially race secretary Ladd Biro for his support for amateur racing and the GLADA club. Next week is another chance for one lucky and talented amateur driver to shine in the winner’s circle.