The $10,000 All-Star Driver's challenge resumes this Wednesday evening at Batavia Downs, with Stephane Bouchard in town to drive for charity.
Stephane Bouchard, who needs more than 36 points to overtake Jody Jamieson, the leader in the challenge, began his in career 1989 and since then has racked up some pretty impressive numbers.
He's won over 6,700 races and his drives have earned over $51 million. In 2007 he finished third in all of North America with 814 wins. Earlier this year he won the $645,000 Yonkers Trot with Napoleon.
All participating drivers donate their driving commission to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR). The driver with most points at the end of the eight-week competition takes home the $10,000 prize.
So far, between the drivers commission, sponsorship of races and a silent auction over $10,000 has been raised for the BCCR.
The Driver Challenge is co-sponsored by the Purple Haze stable, the Western New York Harness Horseman Association and Batavia Downs Gaming.
Canada's Luc Ouellette, scheduled to compete on October 29 will not be participating in the Drivers Challenge. He has been replaced by Jason Bartlett. The 27-year-old Bartlett is currently the leading driver at Yonkers.
"Losing a great driver like Luc is disappointing," Michael D. Kane, Vice President of Live Racing said, "But we're thrilled to have a rising star of the sport like Jason Bartlett coming here to take his place."
(Batavia Downs)