by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo

Sacramento, CA — During a career that spanned four decades, Rick Kuebler became a mainstay in California harness racing and established himself as one of the most popular pilots on the circuit. He recorded 4,284 victories in the sulky and banked more than $19 million before hanging up the helmet and whip.

Cal Expo photo

Rick Kuebler

Now the 57-year-old Kuebler is back as an owner, with the 4-year-old trotter Carpathian Hooray carrying his banner with Matias Ruiz handling the training duties. He is scheduled to make his second start since coming in from Pocono in Thursday’s (Oct. 20) featured second race at Cal Expo and has Rich Wojcio handling the lines.

“I thought I’d just have a little fun as an owner,” Kuebler explained. “Lou Pena raced this trotter for me back East five times and he won twice, but he was having trouble getting in the classes, so we brought him out here. He’ll improve now that he has a local race under his belt.”

Kuebler has always been a budding writer and producer, and has begun to realize that ambition since retiring from the game.

“I’ve been producing some local television commercials for my brother-in-law with an eye for doing a feature film someday,” he explained.

The Bronte Epilepsy Research Foundation Amateur Series begins this week

Saturday night (Oct. 22) will find the opening leg of The Bronte Epilepsy Research Foundation Amateur Series, which is being sponsored by Lou Pena and some of his owners. Between their generosity and the driver fees, a total of $7,000 beyond the purse monies will go to the Foundation.

Two separate pacing events, one for the males and one for the mares, will be held over the next three Saturdays. The first two legs are going for $3,000, while a $10,000 pot will be waiting at the end of the two Nov. 5 finales.

The first leg of the series will get underway with the pacers sporting $3,000 base claiming prices, while they will have $4,500 claiming tags on the second week. The top eight purse earners from those first two legs will compete in each of the respective $10,000 finales and there will be no claiming in that affair.

Live racing resumes at Cal Expo On Thursday (Oct. 20) at 5:30 p.m. (PDT), and continues on Friday (Oct. 21) and Saturday (Oct. 22).