from the California Amateur Driving Club

Sacramento, CA — With the Sunshine Pro-Am Challenge a week away, the two-night series has been enhanced for harness racing fans on two fronts.

First, Pompano Park has announced that both Monday and Tuesday night (March 12 and 13) a randomly drawn “legends” race will be carded. These races will feature 10-horse fields being reined by drivers that have amassed more than 64,000 lifetime victories.

Heading the list will be 8,000-win drivers Doug Brown, Bruce Ranger, Dale Hiteman and Wally Hennessey. In addition, two native California drivers will participate — Rick Plano (5,000-plus) and Ed Hensley (4,000-plus). Rounding out the other four drivers are Dave Ingraham, Richard Simard, Joe Pavia, Jr. and Mickey McNichol, all with well over 4,000 wins apiece.

Second, the legends races, along with three Pro-Am races each night, will comprise the Pick-4 sequence.

Leading Cal-Expo driver, Luke Plano, had this to say about next week’s event.

“I am grateful that the folks at Pompano have put this together. It’s a really clever series that should be very competitive and on the personal front, it will be great to be in South Florida and spend time with my mom and dad. Also, being on hand live to support my dad in the “legends” race is just icing on the cake.”

Cal-Expo amateur Rick Bertrand echoed Plano’s sentiments.

“I have raced in a few Billings events years back and I think the East-West Challenge that Cal-Expo has hosted for the last several years has been great. But I think this event will top them all in terms of interest by the public. All of us from Cal-Expo are indebted to John (Yinger) and his team for hosting this event. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to it.”

To help promote the event, TrackMaster (www.trackmaster.com), provider of harness racing information to the wagering public and a USTA partner, will be offering free handicapping products for the race days of the Challenge and TrackMaster Greg will be handicapping the pro-am and legends races.

Cal Expo track announcer Scott Ehrlich will join the Cal Expo team and is scheduled to call a race or two each night, as well as handicapping various races from the winner’s circle with Pompano Park handicapper (and former Cal Expo race expert) Steve Carpenito.