Cal Expo Board Makes Decision Effecting Harness Racing Operations

Sacramento – The California Exposition & State Fair (Cal Expo) has been the only home for harness racing on the West Coast since 2000. Harness racing was conducted by private operators at the State Fair facility until March 1, 2008. On March 8, 2008, Cal Expo assumed the operation of the harness racing meeting.

At the December 9 meeting of the Cal Expo Board of Directors, members unanimously approved a motion to exercise their option, under the current agreement with the California Harness Horsemen’s Association (CHHA), not to operate or manage harness racing at Cal Expo after August 23, 2012. Such action will not impact the current racing meeting or the Winter/Spring Harness Meet at Cal Expo that runs from December 30, 2011 to June 16, 2012.

The Board indicated they believed a new operator with financial capacity is needed to put the harness industry back on solid footing. The Board directed staff to do everything possible to work with CHHA to find a new operator that allows harness racing to continue and successfully operate at Cal Expo.

For information regarding the operation of the harness racing meet at Cal Expo or any other inquiries, please contact Director of Racing David Elliott at delliott@calexpo.com.