A Fast Penny wins Wiener Nationals

A determined Truffles (front) on her way to the win.

Los Alamitos Race Course, Cypress-
Named after The Beatles’ famous song, Penny Lane rocked the competition to win the title of Fastest Wiener in the West in the 15th annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals.
In front of a season high crowd estimated at around 12,000 people, 97 dachshunds competed in the Wiener Nationals, an event consisting of a series of races for dachshunds held over the 50-yard distance on the same track the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbreds race at Los Alamitos Race Course.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Seal Beach Animal Care Center, a non-kill shelter in Orange County. Over the years the Wiener Nationals has raised nearly $200,000 for the Care Center.
Owned by Trish Ausilio of Buena Park, California, Penny Lane beat the gate at the start of the championship race and opened up a big lead. The 3-year-old tan doxie then ran like a pretzel, swerving inside to allow defending champion Presley to catch her with 20 yards left in the championship race. The two star runners then bumped into each other hard and a determined Penny Lane could be seeing gnarling at her talented rival.
After the two bumped, Presley appeared to take a slight lead before Penny Lane rallied back to victory. In addition to the title of Fastest Wiener in the West, Penny Lane won a doghouse in the shape of a Wienerschnitzel restaurant and a $1,000 cash prize. Amy Caetta’s Presley of Placentia finished in second place and took home $500. Presley’s tough second place finish means that there has still never been a back-to-back champion in the history of the Wiener Nationals.
Following the winner’s circle festivities, Los Alamitos Race Course presented and additional $5,000 donation to the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.
In addition to Penny Lane and Presley, the championship race also featured trial winners Gary Broesder’s Nikko of Anaheim, Mitch Sechrest’s Charlie of Sierra Madre, Lisa Chavelier’s Truffle of Costa Mesa, Abel Raygoza’s Truffle of Fontana, Brittany Hayes’ Riley of Huntington Beach, Sheena Diaz’s Tootsie of Rialto, Felipe Lerma’s Gizmo of Woodland Hills, and Kayla Weaver and James Hanna’s Belle of Irvine. For more information on the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course contact 714-820-2690 or larace@losalamitos.com.