Mike Mitchell smokes the competition and scores GLADA win
June 11, 2013,by Patricia Miller, for the Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association
Hazel Park, MI — Rain poured down and mud flew from pounding hooves, but Smokin Steven could not be extinguished. He wired Monday’s (June 10) Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association race with Mike Mitchell in 2:02.4.
Mitchell is a long time Billings and GLADA competitor and was thrilled to win the race on another wet night and sloppy track, but it didn’t take away from the excitement of amateur racing. John Bangert trains the 8-year-old gelding by Armbro Tropicana.
Kara Buxton drove an aggressive race and got up for the place dough with the Al Tomlinson trainee Cacao Rust and Miss Tiger Lily, in rein to Larry Steenbergen and trained by George Ursitti, stayed the course for third.
Nine amateur drivers rolled out of the gate and fought for position on the rail as Mitchell set the pace to the first quarter in :29.3. Centre County, a June Du Russel trainee driven by Kelly Walker, was parked first over in second and Miss Tiger Lily and Steenbergen held down third on the rail. Junior Cole and his own Score Card were out in fourth and Pat Miller drove her trotter Hay Look Out on the rail in fifth.
A half time of 1:00.2 found Smokin Steven in the lead and looking hard to catch. By three-quarters, Miss Tiger Lily had inched up to second, but Buxton had other plans and came roaring up three wide with Cacao Rust and was intent to take over the lead.
A thrilling stretch run showed the final three in positions they would carry to the finish and the mud clad drivers led the pack to the wire.
Mitchell was smiling widely and in his usual quiet way would only say, “It’s the horse,” as he wiped mud off his face. But it’s also a seasoned driver known to safely handle almost any horse he drives. He had driven Smokin Steven on occasion last year in the GLADA races and success has followed his driving career.
Time to wash up the colors once again and prepare for next week’s challenge and perhaps another new winner. Let’s go racing as GLADA president Steve Oldford loves to say.