Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Celebrities Drive for Charity

August 16, 2005

Former Chicago sports stars will try their hand at driving a race horse Saturday night at Balmoral Park. The Crete oval’s fourth annual Celebrity Driving Challenge pits these elite athletes against local media in a pair of $5,000 tussles to benefit various charities.

NHL Hall of Famer and current Chicago Blackhawk Assistant Coach Denis Savard along with three-time NBA All Star and former Chicago Bulls guard Norm Van Lier will take to the sulky. As well, 18-year MLB pitcher Dan Plesac, former Chicago Cub pitcher Milt Pappas and former Chicago White Sox outfielder John Cangelosi are just a few of the participants.

Others set to drive include former University Of Illinois & NFL star linebacker John Holecek, and 9-year NFL veteran John Jurkovic. ESPN 1000’s Dan McNeil will guest announce the call of both races. Post time is 7:40 pm, CST.

Set as races two and three, the charity recipients include St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Make A Wish Foundation, Children’s Cancer Research, Cure Autism Now, Multiple Sclerosis Research, Chicago Challenge, Research for Neuroblastoma, Equine Dreams
and Momence High School Activities Fund.