by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — The majority of people who watch and wager on the races at Cal Expo are actually somewhere other than the Sacramento facility, which brings us to Frank Matthews, the boss of the Cal Expo video department for the last seven years.

“I started at Golden Gate at around the age of 15 being the simulcast operator, and now 17 years later I’m the head of the video department here at Cal Expo,” Matthews related. “The crew that I have has helped me produce a product that I am proud of and I thank the owners of Pegasus for giving me a chance at such a young age.”

Matthews lives in the Bay Area, which means he has something near a 160-mile round trip journey from home to the racetrack. In addition to heading up the department here at Cal Expo, Matthews directs things for televising the Northern California Thoroughbred fair circuit and has also produced and directed shows about racing and various other projects.

“None of this would be possible without the help of a good crew,” he noted. “Dave Kuri, my graphics operator is great. He works hard in the morning with trainer Nathalie Tremblay and continues to work hard at night making sure he gets the right information out to the betting public.

“Tape operator Derek Halvorson works closely with the stewards taking care of all their needs. During the day Derek works with the Stockton Unified School District as a teacher’s aide. We have seven camera operators here, who are out there dealing with the weather just like the drivers, rain or shine.

“Robert Isola and Ian Craig shoot the pan cameras. Norman Dodd, Reece Blackstone, Ninef Alkhas and Todd Coss operate the tower shots and the paddock/winner’s circle cameraman is DJ Selba.”

A tip of the hat goes out from management to the team that brings the trotters and pacers here at Cal Expo to everyone else via the wonderful world of simulcasting.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (Feb. 3) and Saturday (Feb. 4) at 6 p.m. (PST).