A tentative deal was reached this past weekend which will see live harness racing continue at Cal-Expo in Sacramento, California through 2013 with options for
2014 and 2015.
According to a report by The Sacramento Bee, the California Harness Horsemen's Association had pledged a move to Fresno by 2011, but now want to stick with Cal-Expo. The report states that the deal is the first multi-year with the track.
The deal will reportedly see a minimum of 140 live cards of racing per year. Purses will also be raised 15 per cent starting this week.
"We're staying put at Cal Expo," California Harness Horsemen's Association president Ben Kenney was quoted as saying in the report. "What turned the decision is that our horsemen really took a hard look at [the situation] and they decided they wanted to try and make it work here. It was a 'bird in the hand' situation."
To read The Sacramento Bee article in its entirety, click here.
(With files from The Sacramento Bee)