Friday’s 15-race program is headed by the Stuart A. Wiener Memorial Pace, a California Sire Stakes featuring Show Runner and two divisions of the second leg of the Dr. Gary Budahn Trotting Series.
The Stuart A. Wiener Memorial is named for the man who has raced trotters and pacers with his wife Wendi since 1990. They were married for 42 years and he passed away on Dec. 5 from a heart infection at the age of 65. He is also survived by his daughter Jennifer, her husband Jon and a 10-year-old grandson Nathan.
“He was CFO at Health Science College in Henderson, Nevada and enjoyed his work, but it was his love of horses that really showed through,” Wendi said. “Our first horse was Shot N, who we had with Ross Croghan, and he is still on the farm. Stu loved everything about the game, including the betting, and a perfect union was made.”
For many years, the Wieners have raced their horses with trainer Nathalie Tremblay, including their favourite pacer Bewareofthisaffair. Stuart’s name did appear on some of the horses along with Wendi’s brother Alan Kraslow, but most of the performers raced under her name.
“Stu loved going to Sacramento and hanging out with the horses. We both loved Nathalie and Dave [Kuri] and we have all been together so long that it’s not as much a business as it is family. He even had the chance to jog a horse by himself once, and he never stopped talking about it.
“Stu really loved the horses and proof is that we have seven retired here on the farm. Life was always interesting, especially on race night when we went to Dish Network to watch every race. The last few months Stu actually felt good and was even back to golf, but who knew.
“I keep telling people that we need to celebrate Stu’s life. Even with all the health problems he had in the last several years, he had a pretty fantastic life. It was the horses that actually lifted him at the worst times.”
First post is 5:20 p.m. (PDT).
Beginning this weekend, there will be a $10,000 guaranteed pool for the Pick 5 on both Friday and Saturday. The Pick 4 guarantee continues to be $20,000 on Fridays and $25,000 on Saturdays.
(With files from Cal Expo)