from the California Amateur Driving Club

Sacramento, CA — The largest amateur race series ever conducted in California begins on Saturday (Oct. 22) with two legs of colts and geldings and two legs of mares competing at the $3,000 claiming level. The 16 horses in each series are aiming toward the $10,000 final scheduled for Saturday (Nov. 5).

The Bronte Epilepsy Research Foundation Amateur Late Closer Race Series sponsored by Lou Pena is the beneficiary of the series with $7,000 going to support their research efforts conducted at UC Davis. That figure will likely increase with some additional donors that will be named at a later date.

Ten different amateur drivers will compete in leg one of these series. Those that are members of the California Amateur Driving Club are vying for the club’s annual spoils and a spot on the West team for the annual East-West challenge that will be held this spring.

The races have shaped up to be very, very competitive. CADC President David Siegel said, “Hats off to the racing office. The conditions racing secretary Fred Kuebler came up with have made this a very interesting and competitive series. He’s got the claiming prices set just right to make some folks think about pulling the trigger and going for the big cheese!”

Track GM Dave Elliott applauded Pena’s involvement. “We are happy to have this event as part of our card. Knowing Lou for many years, it is absolutely no surprise to me at all that he would give back to the Bronte Epilepsy Research Foundation and to the harness horsemen of California as generously as he has in the past.”

California Harness Horsemen’s President Alan Kirschenbaum complimented Cal-Expo on their support as well. “Cal-Expo has been an enthusiastic partner in providing opportunity to the amateur drivers of California, and we want to thank them for their support over the years, and especially now for this lucrative series which will benefit such a worthy cause.”

The leg one races will take place in the middle of the card — races 8, 10, 12 and 13. Free programs and selections are available at trackmaster.com/calx.