Watch and Wager, operator of Cal Expo Harness, is pleased to announce that Jenn Bongiorno will join the broadcast team, effective the track’s opening night, October 28.

Bongiorno will team with Hall of Famer Gary Siebel with nightly analysis of the popular Cal Expo Pick-4. She will replace Dave Brower, who has returned to the Meadowlands Racetrack on a full time basis.

Bongiorno is a fourth-generation harness racing participant, as her great uncle was Stanley Dancer and her grandfather was Harold ‘Sonny’ Dancer.

After graduating from Monmouth University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, Bongiorno started working at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment in New Jersey, where she was marketing coordinator, handling the social media and was also a member of the on-air talent.

After three and a half years, Bongiorno left the Meadowlands this April as she began to own more horses. “I felt I was more focused on them and wanted to take a more hands on approach with them. I received my trainer’s license in June and have a stable of 15 horses that my brother and I run together. I race primarily at Yonkers Raceway.

“I am absolutely loving being a trainer. It's more work than I ever could have imagined, but every morning when I walk into the barn, I feel a sense of passion and love that I've never felt. I said after winning my first race, I never felt that level of gratification before.

“The TV portion of my job definitely became my favourite part at the Meadowlands and is something I truly miss, which is why when Watch and Wager presented me with this opportunity, I absolutely could not turn it down!

“I'm so looking forward to following Cal-Expo racing and giving the fans my handicapping opinions. Harness racing is such a great sport and through TV, I've gotten to interact with so many fans via social media and look forward to doing the same with the Cal-Expo fan base.”

"We were so impressed with Jenn's work at the Meadowlands," said Chris Schick, the general manager of Cal Expo harness. "Her knowledge and passion for our sport is very evident.

"We also want to publicly thank Dave Brower, and wish him well on his return home to the Meadowlands. Dave has agreed to make appearances to keep the California fans up to date on trends at the Meadowlands".

Cal Expo is set to open its 54 night stand on Saturday, October 28.

(Cal Expo)