by Tom Kelley, Balmoral Park Publicity Department

Crete, IL — The “Young Guns” of the Midwest Amateur Drivers’ Association descended upon Balmoral Park on Sunday night to compete in their $1,500 series championship. A field of four rising starts, which included the regular season points champion, Marcus Miller, Tannor Spitler, Kyle Husted, and Harold Finn, Jr., were sent to battle in the non-wagering race contested before the start of the regular Sunday program.

Balmoral Park photo

Kyle Husted put Cheeriam right on the front, and the two never looked back as they recorded a wire-to-wire victory in 1:59.1

Looking like a seasoned veteran, driver Kyle Husted put Cheeriam right on the front, and the two never looked back as they recorded a 1-½ length, wire-to-wire victory, in 1:59.1.

Leaving like a flash from post position three, Husted had the Ken Rucker trainee on the point as the field moved through an opening quarter in :29.3.

Tapping the brakes on the backside, Cheeriam was well in hand to Husted as he rolled to the halfway station in :59.3. Marcus Miller had Fox Valley Merlin sitting right on Husted’s helmet, in second, while Tannor Spitler had E Michelle saving ground while a close up third at that point.

The winning move came on the final turn as Husted “stole” a :32 split on the bend, reaching the three-quarter mile mark in 1:31.3.

With Cheeriam fit and fresh coming off that slow third panel, Husted put the pedal to the metal, and the 3-year-old gelding responded beautifully as he drew away to lead by two lengths at the mid-stretch call. E Michelle had moved first-over, into second, while Miller was looking to work his into striking position while third.

In the final sixteenth of a mile, the well-rated Cheeriam was on cruise control for Husted, as they rolled home in :27.3 and got his second win in eight starts this year. Marcus Miller and Fox Valley Merlin came on late to edge Tannor Spitler and E Michelle for the place honors. Harold Finn, Jr. was a distant fourth, as his charge, Medoland Doc, struggled throughout the mile.