Contact: Tom Kelley
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KYLE HUSTED TAKES MIDWEST AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP AT BALMORAL

Kyle Husted and Cheeriam were well in front of their rivals as the rolled under the wire with the win in Sunday's Midwest Amateur Drivers Championship.

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

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 this point.

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

Driver Kyle Husted is surrounded by family and friends after taking the Midwest Amateur Drivers Championship on Sunday night at Balmoral Park.

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

In the final sixteenth of a mile the well-rated Cheeriam was on cruise control for Husted as he rolled home in 27.3 to get 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.

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