Rick
Bertrand is one of the four Cal Expo local pilots taking on the Eastern team in
Saturday’s night’s (April 14) second leg of the East-West Amateur Driving
Challenge, joining David Siegel, Amanda Fraser and Karen Isbell in hopes of
prevailing in this popular event.
“This
is my fourth year driving in the Challenge and I've enjoyed it every time,”
Bertrand said. “Dave (Siegel) does a
very good job putting this together and I think it’s a great way to compete
with other amateur drivers.”
Last
month saw Bertrand, Siegel, Luke Plano and Steve Wiseman traveling to Pompano
Park to compete in the Pro-Am event held at that Florida track.
“I
had always wanted to go to Pompano to drive and was glad I was asked and given
the opportunity.
“Of
course, the best part turned out to be the last race in the series. The points were all tied up so it came down
to that race to see who would win. It
made that race so much more exciting.
“I
actually got off last in that one and it didn't seem like I had much chance and
at the half, as I was still trailing and was just hoping to maybe catch a horse
or two so I could get the owner a check.
Then going to the three-quarters, I got my horse into gear and we
started passing one horse and then another.
“We
tipped three wide halfway around the last turn and he started getting his mojo
working, as our announcer Scott Ehrlich would say. I still didn't think I had a chance to win but
we just kept picking up horses. Halfway
down the stretch, I looked over and all I had to do was drive past Luke Plano,
Wally Hennessey, Bruce Ranger and Steve Wiseman!
“Well,
we got by all of them and were up at the wire.
The points helped our team get the victory, and it was one of the
biggest wins I’ve ever had and something I’ll never forget.”
Can
Rick Bertrand work his magic again and get the prize for Team West this
weekend? Stay tuned.
Second Leg Of East-West
Amateur Challenge; Albion, Sire Stakes in Saturday Cal Expo Spotlight
The
second leg of the East-West Amateur Driving Challenge; an optional claiming
pace headed by the streaking Albion and a pair of California Sire Stakes for
the 3-year-old colts, are scheduled at Cal Expo on Saturday night (April 14).
There
will be three divisions of the Amateur Challenge, while Albion figures to be a
solid favorite when he goes postward for trainer Matias Ruiz and pilot Luke
Plano in the second event on the 15-race program. The Sires Stakes will both go as non-betting
races prior to the regular card.
In
the East-West Challenge, the local team will consistent of Amanda Fraser, Karen
Isbell, David Siegel and Rick Bertrand and they will be challenged by the
invading contingent of Steve Oldford, Joe Faraldo, Tony Verruso and Peter
Gerry.
The
Amateurs will do battle in the sixth, ninth and eleventh races on the card with
all three contests looming interesting betting affairs. By the end of the night, bragging rights will
have been decided.
The
Sire Stakes for colt trotters finds El Azteca looming large while taking on
Light Red, Loose Cannon, Rite After Disbeer, Panama Pride and Lees Persuader;
while the pacing end matches Bee Gee, Looks Don’t Count, Little Tor, Ra Ra
Steven, Bloom N Doom and Ridgerson.
Live
racing resumes at Cal Expo on Friday (April 13) & Saturday (April 14) at
6:00 p.m. (PST). On
every live card, Cal Expo offers free parking & free admission after 4:30
p.m. On Friday, Cal Expo offers Happy Hour
from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on which Beer; Well Drinks & Wine are offered at $4
each, while a Burger
with fries is offered at $5.
Cal
Expo currently offers a reduced 15 percent takeout rate on all Pick 4’s. Additionally, all Late Pick 4’s now come with
an increased $20,000-guaranteed gross pool.
Also, the Friday Late Pick 4 will offer a 0% takeout on all winning
wagers made on track or at Twinspires.com, while the Saturday Late Pick 4 will
be broadcast on TVG.
