TVG LATE CLOSER AND AMATEUR SEASON ENDER SATURDAY AT CAL-EXPO - THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2008
Contact: David Siegel (dsiegel@axcis.com)

In one race, a pacing mare will win the largest purse for females at Cal-Expo’s winter/spring meet, an amateur driver will be named to represent California in the Jug Week amateur championship race, and 4-5 drivers will be named to the 2009 East-West Challenge team.
 
Sandra Hotspur and Linnea Blue Chip won the first two legs of the TVG Filly and Mare Late Closing Series for amateur drivers. Sue Boyce piloted both pacers. Sue will be driving Sandra Hotspur in the final ($7900 purse), after the pacer finished second in last week’s second leg. Linnea Blue Chip defeated her, this week to be driven by Sabrina Shaw.

For the drivers, much is at stake. While David Siegel has clinched the driver’s title (based on points accumulated for the two late closing series – boys and girls divisions), second place is up for grabs as Jason Maier holds a three-point edge going into the final. Sue Boyce, currently third in the standings, has made up a huge deficit by piloting both winners in the last two weeks. She will have her work cut out for her as Jason Maier has had the hot hand of late with a UDR of .320 since May 1 in 73 starts at the Cal-Expo oval. Jason will be driving Maxalax, who has finished third and fourth in the first two legs of the filly and mare series. The higher finishing of these two (Jason or Sue) will represent the California Amateur Driving Club in the Fauts Memorial race to be held on the Sunday prior to the Little Brown Jug.

Finishing positions fourth and fifth also hang in the balance and will be hard fought for by the balance of the drivers as they attempt to earn a spot on the West driving team for the 4th Annual East-West Challenge tentatively scheduled for April of 2009.

The second leg featured a close 3-horse finish, and an even closer “claiming derby” after the conclusion of the race. Five claims were entered, all on second place finisher Sandra Hotspur. The mare was claimed back by trainer Mathias Ruiz, who had the horse claimed from him (also with five claims entered) the week prior.

Club Secretary and on-air amateur race handicapping specialist Steve Chambers commented, “Wow! These races have been close, have generated lots of interest and have really varied our program. The “wild west” claiming, 12 claims in the two legs, has made the series that much more intriguing. I think the race office picked the perfect claiming prices and purse levels to make this as exciting as possible. What a way to conclude our spring amateur racing season.”

Complete series standings and details can be found on t the CADC web site at thecadc.com .