Columbus, OH — In what turned out to be a real barn burner, two excellent amateur drivers battled relentlessly until Eddie Miller, driving Bold Strategy, turned back Outburst and Alesha Binkley to win the $10,000 Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association series final by a nose in 1:55.4 at Scioto Downs on Thursday night (Aug. 12).

Miller rushed Bold Strategy to the lead in a :28 first quarter. But knowing that Bold Strategy was the one to beat, Binkley put her trotter’s nose on Miller’s back, and they raced one-two through the middle half. When they headed for home, Outburst was in high gear with designs on gunning down the leader. Although Binkley made a valiant effort, Miller was not to be denied as he urged his trotter home a scant nose in front. Right there with the top two — just a tick behind — was third-place finisher Palmers Pride, driven by Don Sherman.

Bold Strategy, a 4-year-old altered son of Break The Bank K, is owned by Rebecca Sugg, Watson Harness Racing and Mary Stucky, and is trained by Miller. He paid $3.60 to win.