by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — Friday (April 15) and Saturday (April 16) at Cal Expo will see the renewal of the popular TVG East-West Amateur Driver Challenge, with the local team of Robert Stepien, Rick Bertrand, Chris Hernandez and David Siegel taking on the Eastern contingent of Jamie Marra, Laura MacNamara, Simeon Hunsdon and Steve Oldford.

In two weeks, on April 29 and 30, a group of New Zealand drivers will be invading Sacramento for the Down Under Friendship Challenge, which will add a Kiwi flavor to the proceedings and should prove to be very interesting.

Last weekend saw the first round of Sire Stakes action for the 3-year-olds and Shamderock picked up right where he left off last season with a dominating 14 length decision over the pacing colts for owner/breeders D&E Racing Inc. and driver/trainer Rick Plano. The bay performer swept last year’s four big-money events in similar facile fashion.

Speaking of multiple stakes-winning pacers under the D&E Racing/Plano banner, Pacinello turned up in a qualifier last week and had a useful 1:57.2 spin. He hasn’t seen action since last September at Vernon Downs. A 5-year-old son of Little Steven, Pacinello was an ace here during his Sire Stakes days. He has won 20 of his 56 lifetime appearances with a $244,695 bankroll and a 1:50.2 standard that was established last year at the Meadowlands.

Beginning this Thursday night (April 14) and for the next four weeks, the Thursday Late Pick 4 will have a $10,000 guaranteed gross pool and both the Early and Late Pick 4 on Thursday will feature a reduced 15 percent takeout.

On Saturday nights, the guaranteed gross pool for the Late Pick 4 has been increased to $15,000. Both the Early and Late Pick 4 on Saturdays have a reduced 15 percent takeout, with a bonus payout of 17.65 percent for winning Late Pick 4 tickets played on track at Cal Expo or at TwinSpires.com.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (April 14) and continues through Saturday (April 16). Post time on Thursday is 5:30 p.m. (PDT). Post time on Friday and Saturday is 6 p.m.