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Cal Expo Harness Racing

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The California Exposition and State Fair grounds in Sacramento, better known as Cal Expo, was home to California's only harness racing track. Covering 356 acres along the American River, the fairgrounds opened in 1968, with harness racing beginning on June 15, 1971. The track replaced the older California State Fairgrounds venue, establishing a lasting racing tradition in Northern California.

For more than 50 years, Cal Expo hosted harness racing from January to July and again from September or October to December. At its peak, over 900 horses competed annually. Races were managed by Capitol Racing and later Watch and Wager, LLC, which leased the track for fall and winter meets. The venue became a key destination for fans, bettors, and aspiring drivers in the region.

The California State Fair, held each August or September, featured thoroughbred, quarter horse, and Arabian racing. Special stakes events held during the fair included:

Harness racing at Cal Expo ended on May 2, 2025, after the California Exposition and State Fair Board terminated the lease with Watch and Wager. Rising operational costs, fewer available horses, and a decline in Northern California live racing led to the closure. While harness racing no longer takes place at Cal Expo, the venue continues to host the California State Fair and other events, preserving its legacy as a historic hub for equestrian sports and community entertainment.

Cal Expo Track Facts

Date Track Opened : 1971
Speed Rating : 2:001
Length of Homestretch : 990'
Width of Homestretch : 80'
Starters Behind the Gate : 9
Hubrail : None
"Open" Stretch : No
Grandstand Capacity : 6,200
Turf Club Capacity : 634
Parking Capacity : 5,000

Cal Expo Record Business

Handle : $1,724,070 on April 7, 2000
Attendance : 36,943 visitors on July 4, 1982

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