The $10,000 All-Star drivers challenge, which doubles as a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, resumes on Wednesday night, October 29, at Batavia Downs with 27-year-old Jason Bartlett, currently the leading driver at Yonkers Raceway, getting his turn at the winner take all prize. This is the final week of the eight-week challenge.
Jeff Gregory raised the bar last Wednesday when his eight drives earned 39 points. He surpassed Ontario's Jody Jamieson who held the lead with 35.
Jason Bartlett, currently fourth in all of North America with 543 wins, will make his first trip to America's oldest lighted harness track. Throughout his career that began in 1998, he has won over 2,400 and his drives have earned $9,623,266. Bartlett was recently chosen to represent the United States of America in the 2009 World Driving Championships to be held in Norway.
"We would like to thank the Purple Haze stable and the Western New York Harness Horsemen's Association for co-sponsoring the drivers challenge," Michael Kane, vice president, Racing Operations, said. "We thought the challenge would be popular but we never dreamed it would bring so many new racing fans to the track. We're delighted to have raised a lot of money for the BCCR."
While the final amount raised won't be known until the challenge ends, Kane anticipates the figure to be around $15,000.
(Batavia)