ACBRA Enjoys The Cool Weather In Salinas, Calif.

By Joyce Williams
Special To Ropers Sports News

     Even though Aug 4-6 was not the ACBRA Finals as originally scheduled, the ACBRA held three races at the Salinas Sports Complex in Salinas, Calif. in the cool weather. What a change from the 100’s in the Central Valley! You could definitely tell the Valley people and horses with our coats and blankets as we didn’t know what to do with the 60-degree August weather! The Salinas Sports Complex was as wonderful as ever! Roger DeFountain and his crew (Tony, Waylon and Juan) are so easy to work with and that makes for a real relaxing weekend!  
     Friday nights race saw Rayanne Currin on her new horse Cheetah set the pace with an 18.180 winning $230. Second in the 1D was Kendra Cohn on Jack with a 18.245 winning $138 and Lisa Busick on Sneakers were third with a 18.256 winning $92. The 2D was won by Paige Mills on Bo with a 18.750 winning $202; second was Karlee Wesney and Libby with a 18.763 winning $121; and Morgan Dewher on Trigger was third with a 18.819 winning $81. The 3D winner  was Kendra Cohn on Chiclet with a 19.183 winning $158; second was Stephanie Ferrasci on Cash with a 19.243 winning $95 and Wendy Sweeney on Zero was third with a 19.253 winning $63. The 4D was won by Jackklyn Springer on Mo with a 20.304 winning $130; second was Michelle Silva on Copper with a 20.435 winning $78 and Rayanne Currin on April with a 20.517 winning $52.  
     Saturday’s race was blessed with the sunshine and comfortable 70 degree weather. Setting the pace was Vonnie Nunes and Hawk with a 17.784 winning $356; second was Katie Jones on Shooter with a 17.812 winning $267; third was Rayann Currin on Cheetah with a 17.817 winning $178 and Suzanne Koch on Genuine Lil Night was fourth with a 17.899 winning $89. The 2D was won by Vonnie Nunes on Hot Rod with a 18.311 winning $311; second was Amber Stoltey on Smoken with a 18.394 winning $234; third was Jamie Tsuji on Awesome Possum with a 18.402 winning $156 and fourth was Lisa Busick on Sneakers with a 18.418 winning $78. The 3D was won by Kendra Cohn on Chiclet with a 18.844 winning $245; second was Dania Ramirez on True with a 18.864 winning $183; third was Melissa Perry on Levi with a 18.884 winning $122 and Candy Forsberg and Katie were fourth with a 18.913 winning $61.  The 4D was won by Ali Anton on Smooth As Firewater with a 19.878 winning $200; second was Heather Heard on Krispy with a 19.961 winning $150; third was Christiane Anton on Barbie with a 20.019 winning $100 and Brenda Taber on Nellie were fourth with a 20.031 winning $50.  
     Sunday was another great day with Tracy Ash and Twisted Sister setting the pace with a 17.797 winning $279; second was Rayanne Currin on Cheetah with a 17.798 winning $209; third was Lisa Busick on Sneakers with a 17.889 winning $140 and Taylor deRegt on Peter Pan was fourth with a 17.985 winning $70. The 2D was won by Jamie Tsuji on Awesome Possom with a 18.299 winning $244; second was Lisa Busick on WS Snookys Driftwood with a 18.400 winning $183; third was Wendy Sweeney on Zero with a 18.445 winning $122 and fourth was Carol Miller-Gonyer on Charlie with a 18.513 winning $61. The 3D was won by Brittany Nielsen on Polly with a 18.849 winning $192; second was Angie Woody on Dancer with a 18.855 winning $144; third was Jenifer Hall on Baby Girl with a 19.030 winning $96 and fourth was Melissa Perry on Levi with a 19.034 winning $48. The 4D was won by Kim Martin on Heidei with a 19.826 winning $157; second was Donna Cohn on Jeff with a 19.871 winning $118; third was Lynda Alsip on Desire Leo with a 20.006 winning $78 and fourth was Rashell Fehlman on Rummy with a 20.159 winning $39.  
The ACBRA would sincerely like to thank Chris Nielsen of Chris Nielsen Tractor Sales for donating the tractor and implement to make the ground awesome and to Silva Racing for the water truck that keep the dust down. Thank you both so much!! 
     The ACBRA Finals are now scheduled for October 28-30, 2011 at Salinas Valley Fairgrounds King City Calif. We will be in the indoor arena so weather will not be an issue. You only need to attend 10 ACBRA races to be qualified for the Finals so there is still plenty of time. Hope to see you at the races!!