Claims Dominate Again and New Winners in Lou Pena Sponsored Series

Claims Dominate Again and New Winners in Lou Pena Sponsored Series
Monday, October 31, 2011 - Contact: David Siegel (dsiegel@axcis.com)

While this Saturday is the race for all the marbles, the four second legs of the Bronte Epilepsy Research Foundation series were anything but dull. Only one of the week’s previous for winners repeated (Rude Awakening driven by Dave Siegel), so three new horses found their way to the winners circle. Fresh off a claim, Just Plum Lucky won for driver Amanda Fraser. Also fresh off a claim, Sterling Chris won for Nevada cop Robert Stepien who defeated Serious Art, a winner last week that produced six claims last week and another six again in the higher priced, $4500 affair. Finally, Spanish Rosey, after finishing second in leg one, won for driver Brian Marchand, marking Brian’s first pari-mutual victory. The claim box saw more action with two-time winner Rude Awakening changing barns.

Eight horses in each of the two gender-based series have earned the right to complete for a purse $10,000 in each of their respective finals to be held this Saturday, November 5. In addition to the final two races of the series, sponsor Lou Pena himself and a couple of professional T-shirt distributors will be on hand handing out 500 “Bronte” shirts for fans and hopeful supports of the foundation.

Lou said, “I am coming out this weekend to push hard for the Foundation. If all goes as planned, I will be on Good Morning Sacramento on Saturday, and around the track that night, all in the hopes of boosting the awareness of the great works they do.” Dave [Siegel] has done a great job along with the racing office of putting this together, but now I want to help push it over the top first hand. It’s also been great that George Brennan and the Buss Family are adding to the pot to help my friends at the Foundation.”

California Harness Horsemen’s Association President and amateur driver hoping to compete in this weekend’s event said, "It's a great privilege to be involved in a program that is so much fun for the amateur drivers and our fans, and connects our sport to a wonderful charity that makes a difference in so many people's lives."

The drivers have a lot at stake heading into the last week of the amateur season. The top four earn spots on the 2012 East-West Challenge team. While the top three spots are secured by leading 2011 driver Amanda Fraser, David Siegel and Karen Isbell, that fourth slot will be hotly contested between Rick Bertrand and Robert Stepien. Standings and results can be found on the Club’s web site.