Focus On The Amateur Pilots
Thursday, June 4, 2009 - by Mark Ratzky, Publicity -- Cal-Expo

Amateur drivers and the working class pacers get a chance for some spotlight beginning this weekend in a pair of TVG Amateur Series events.  A joint effort between Cal Expo, the California Amateur Driving Club (CADC) and the California Harness Horsemen’s Association (CHHA), both series will feature two legs and then a final with an estimated purse of $8,000.
 
The first series will get underway this Saturday with two divisions and will continue the following two weekends.  It’s a conditioned claiming event with base tags of $3,000 and $3,500 the first two weeks and no claiming on the finale.  The second series is limited to fillies and mares under the same conditions and will have a July 11 start.
 
The CHHA and track management have been supportive of amateur racing since it’s re-emergence in the summer of 2005 when the State Fair, the meet’s current operator, took over.
 
“There is little doubt that the California Amateur program is the strongest-based one in the country,” said General Manager David Elliott.
 
“Given the challenge of an ‘island meet’, amateur driving not only provides for a varied program for fans, but serves a purpose for lesser experienced drivers to be competitive and show to potential owners another side of ownership not available with thoroughbreds or quarter horses.”
 
CHHA Executive Director Jim Perez is also a strong supporter of these events.
 
“I applaud the efforts made by CADC over the years,” he said.  “The CHHA thinks the Amateur Series provides some nice variety from our overnight program and the late-closing concept for our bottom level horses is an innovative and worthwhile endeavor that we are happy to support.”
 
CADC President David Siegel added, “The later closers are a great institution for drivers, trainers and owners.  The amateurs get a chance to drive more competitively (against each other) and when else can one of our lower class horses race for an $8,000 purse?
 
“The Amateur Club is grateful for the support of Cal Expo and the CHHA and the trainers are grateful for the purse supplements provided by TVG.  This an example of a win-win situation that can occur when groups with a common goal work together to achieve common objectives,” concluded Siegel.