by Steve Carpenito, marketing director, Sacramento Harness Association

Sacramento, CA — The Sacramento Harness Association, operators of Cal-Expo harness racing, will welcome Francisco Garcia and Justin Williams of The Sacramento Kings to “The Night of the Shooting Stars” on Saturday, October 13.

Francisco and Justin, both forwards for the local NBA squad, will take time out from their busy preseason schedule to come out to the racetrack and mingle with the fans and sign autographs over the course of the evening. Every fan that enters the track on Saturday will be given a complimentary entry blank which makes them eligible to drawings for Kings tickets, as well as signed memorabilia.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m. (PDT), and continuing until 6:30 p.m., fans will get an opportunity to earn their chance to shoot with the stars. Two fans who display superior basketball shooting prowess will earn their way into a basketball shootout with Francisco and Justin. Both fans who qualify for the shootout will receive a signed game ball, and if either can out-shoot the pros, they will earn a $100 Cal-Expo wagering voucher.

“We are very pleased to welcome Francisco Garcia and Justin Williams of the Sacramento Kings to our facility,” said Sacramento Harness Association General Manager Dick Feinberg. “This promotion will be a slam dunk for our fans; not only will they get an opportunity to meet the players and get an autograph, maybe win some Kings tickets or memorabilia, but two lucky fans will get a once in a lifetime opportunity to shoot hoops with the pros.”

Of course, Francisco and Justin will not be the only stars in attendance. The best 2-year-old trotters and pacers bred in the state of California will be doing battle for the largest purses of their young racing careers on Saturday out on the racetrack. Of course, as usual, we’ll have our Super Saturday night favorites, that being Dollar Night and The Peppermill Pace.

All admission proceeds for the evening will benefit The MaddBacker Foundation, founded in 2003 by NFL Linebacker Adrian Ross. The foundation’s mission is to enrich the lives of young people in Sacramento by instilling in them the importance of education while also bringing them outstanding role models to inspire and motivate them to be their best.

Cal-Expo operates Wednesday thru Saturday evenings. First post is 5:35 p.m. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.