The team from Cal-Expo managed a clean sweep of four races last night to take a commanding 99-39 lead in the eighth annual East-West Amateur Drivers Challenge.

With first race temperatures around 80, and a perfectly clear sky, the track at the Sacramento oval was in excellent shape to greet the East Coast invaders. However, the 2013 edition of Team East featuring Dein Spriggs, Michelle Ruvola, Bob Krivelin and George Bonomo had their hands full right out of the starting gate.

The “draw gods” were smiling upon Dave Siegel as he won the first leg, the sole trot of the series, with BK Stiff coming from well off the pace. After a battle up front between Ruvola and Sue Boyce, the back of the pack moved forward, led by Siegel’s charge for the win.

The second race increased the West's lead as the race winner, High Bet Hanover, got a pocket trip to his liking. Dean Spriggs on Beach Beach Beach almost ran down the favourite, but just fall short, finishing second. After two legs, the West had the East doubled up 46-23.

Team West’s good fortune continued into the last two legs. A close race through three-quarters, Bob Johnson-trained Twenty One Guns was used little in the first half of the race, but exploded when pulled and ran off to a nine length victory. Tallying the finishers, Team West occupied the 1-2-3-4 slots resulting in a greater challenge for the East Coasters to make a come-back.

The last leg of Friday’s action saw a few leavers, but a very slow quarter. Trainer Vallandingham gave Siegel the run down about this horse’s ability to fly in the stretch and the “Go-Rod” could not have been any more correct. Schemes flew by the leaders after being pulled first up and was home free to secure the commanding lead for the Left Coasters.

Both teams enjoyed a nice (very late) dinner after the races to celebrate the wonderful company that the Eastern Brethren represents.

Four more races are on tap for today as Team East hopes to rebound from its current deficit. With some live drives, the outcome is still up in the air

Free programs and TrackMaster Greg selections for the challenge races and all other races on the Cal-Expo cards are available for Saturday’s races at www.trackmaster.com/calx.

(California Amateur Driving Club)