by David Siegel

Sacramento, CA — Dein Spriggs is no stranger to the winner’s circle. But he has not been up close and personal to it in our country’s largest state since 2006.

Spriggs appeared in five races in the inaugural version of the East vs West Driving Challenge, finishing with a win, a second and a third. Not a bad showing and he has been anxious to continue his strong performance since then.

Bob Krivelin is making his first appearance in the Golden State. So while he is a left-coast rookie, Krivelin cozied up to the circle of champions 13 times in 69 races in 2012, sporting a .325 UDR on his way to being named Amateur Driver of the Year. It has been rumored that the Mamas and the Papas’ “California Dreamin” has invaded his mind, causing him great sleep deprivation since being named to the Eastern squad. He anticipates a win at Cal Expo will erase the ever-looping tune.

On April 12 and 13, these two are hoping to redeem the prowess of their talents as part of the eighth annual East vs West Amateur Driving Challenge which will take place at Cal Expo in Sacramento, Calif. They will be joined by father and daughter teammates, George Bonomo and Michele Ruvola.

Dein Spriggs

Dein Spriggs drove in his first race at the fairs of Pennsylvania at age 16. In 1998 he joined the Delvin Miller Harness Drivers’ Association. After an uneventful racing start in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Spriggs came through with a three-year stretch of gold. That is, he made it to the Billings Gold Cup final with two first place finishes and one second place finish in 2004, 2005 and 2006. He won the Tim Fouts Memorial in 2002 and 2011 while representing the Florida Amateur Driving Club, where he currently presides as the president.

Family members that share his passion for racing include his father Bill and brother Steve. Steve was a well known California harness driver in the late 1970s and 1980s.

To help support Spriggs’ love of harness racing, he works as a private real estate investor and consultant for more than 27 years.

Bob Krivelin

Bob “Rapid Rail” Krivelin, is so named for driving his own filly, Rapid Rail, to an elimination victory in the 2003 Hambletonian Oaks and a second place finish in the final.

Krivelin learned horsemanship under the guidance of some of the top trainers in the sport, traveling to the Meadowlands to train every day starting in 1995. He was named Amateur Driver of the Year in 2001 and 2012.

He is the owner of Woolco Foods, a wholesale food distribution company, which serves the five New York City boroughs. Krivelin lives in the cradle of harness racing in Goshen, where he owns several horses which train at Historic Track.

When asked to comment, Spriggs said this about the upcoming races.

“This is my second trip to Cal Expo and I cannot tell you how well they treat us. I have traveled all around the east and midwest to race in one or two races on the card in the Billing series, and often they are non-wagering races. Here, I am thrilled to race in eight races over the two nights. This is such a great concept and I sure hope that racing out west continues so other Billings drivers can share in what I have been able to enjoy. I know last year Tony (Verruso) promised a win. I won’t go quite that far, but I love the track and feel confident in a good showing.”

TrackMaster will be providing racing fans free programs and selections for the two-day event on their website beginning on Wednesday (April 10).