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THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2006
The stage is set for what hopes to be the first annual
East versus West Amateur Driving Challenge at Cal-Expo in Sacramento,
California. Six races will be contested over two nights (Friday and Saturday,
April 7th and 8th) between 5 of the nation's top-10 C.K.G. Billings Drivers,
representing the East Team, and the top 5 finishers from the California
Fall Amateur Driving Series representing the West Squad. Dein Spriggs, Tony Verruso, Al Schwartz, Greg Keidell
and Tom Williams will have boarded their Wells Fargo Stage Coach headed
due west landing not too far from where gold was discovered just over
150 years ago. This team, loaded with high UDRs and experience, will take
on the upstarts from the Golden State - Tim Clevenger, David Siegel, Susan
Boyce, Jason Maier and Benny Alvarez. The winners will be determined by a point system. The
six races will feature a random driver draw and a variety of classes.
California amateur races, which began this past summer during the California
State Fair have enjoyed much interest from the wagering public, and have
averaged higher handles than similarly slotted non-amateur events. "We are so thrilled by the 'Challenge' coming this
weekend", commented California Amateur Driving Club (CADC) president
David Siegel. "I think we already have the best amateur program in
the country and this will only enhance it further. We have a mix of owners,
trainers, assistant trainers and grooms racing here in our amateur events.
I have read about some programs being a 'rich mans game'. This is not
the case here. While our program is designed, in large part, to attract
new owners, it still allows for a variety of participants. And the public
loves it. They have spoken loud and clear with their wagering dollars.
We are also so very lucky to have horsemen who clearly understand both
the short-term and long-term benefits of a solid amateur program. Ours
is already paying some dividends to the backstretch." Siegel went on to say, "but really the pinnacle of
the program is the East versus West Challenge. This was the brain-child
of Sacramento Harness Association TV analyst Dave Goldschmidt and it is
terrific for all of us. The public will get to see and wager on six very
interesting races with a great new twist. Our guests get to experience
driving on a new track in a different neck of the woods. Our professional
drivers get to watch and be excited or amused, whatever the case might
be as we try to upset the experienced Billings pilots, but most of all,
five of us get to drive in an awesome event." Sacramento Harness Association General Manager and USTA
director Chris Schick commented "We really think this is an exciting
concept and expect it to be very competitive and provide for great viewing
and wagering". To help promote the event, TrackMaster, provider of harness
racing information to the wagering public and USTA partner, will be offering
free handicapping products, including Past Performance programs, selections
and FAST sheets, for the Friday and Saturday Cal-Expo cards at www.trackmaster.com/challenge. More information is available at the CADC web site at www.thecadc.com. |