Two $10,000 finales of the Bronte Epilepsy Research Foundation Amateur Series and a pair of $15,000 California Sire Stakes have the spotlight at Cal Expo on Saturday night (November 5).
The Amateur series 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 Bronte Foundation. In addition, driver George Brennan has pledged an additional donation that will significantly augment that figure.
The field for the mare finale will line up this way: Incredible Gambler (Robert Stepien), Spanish Rosey (Brian Marchand), Just Plum Lucky (Amanda Fraser), Taxi Dancer (Marco Rios), Red Star Gilda (Karen Isbell), Pips Jenny G (Alan Kirschenbaum), Tutiming Gal (Rick Bertrand) and OGs Si Bon (Dave Siegel).
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| Driver David Siegel |
The cast for the male division finds Rude Awakening (Karen Isbell), Yougotwhatuwant (Rick Bertrand), Wrangler Reward, Nightscreamer, Sterling Chris (Robert Stepien), Serious Art (Dave Siegel), Hanover DGN and Komoda’s Fantasy (Amanda Fraser).
Rude Awakening is the only performer eligible to make a clean sweep of a series and goes for new connections after last week’s claim. From the eight elimination races, half were captured by Dave Siegel, who won three in the first leg and added another last week. Amanda Fraser has accounted for a pair, while Robert Stepien and Brian Marchand took the other two contests.
Looking at the Sire Stakes, Bloom N Doom and Ra Ra Steven have won the first two stakes clashes for the pacing colts, while El Azteca has been clearly best in both big-money gatherings for the trotting males.
Bloom N Doom is a homebred son of Hi Ho Silverheels and the Presidential Ball mare Bloom N Grow who carries the banner of Wayne and Rod Knittel with Bob Johnson the conditioner and Lemoyne Svendsen guiding. He made his debut a winning one two weeks ago, sitting a pocket trip and coming home smartly to garner the trophy in a 1:58.3 performance.
