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Cal Expo Harness Racing
The California Exposition and State Fair grounds in Sacramento, more popularly known as Cal Expo, hosts the state’s only harness racing track in California. The entire fair grounds is about 356 acres and is located adjacent to the American River.
Cal Expo typically holds harness racing from January to July and from September/October until December. Harness racing at Cal Expo is operated by Capitol Racing. More than 900 horses compete at Cal Expo.
The California State Fair is held in August or September each year at Cal Expo; thoroughbred, quarter horse and Arabian horseracing is held on the grounds during the fair. The special Stakes events hosted as part of the State Fair include:
- Governor’s Handicap
- Earlene McCabe Derby
- CA State Fair Open Mule Challenge
- Straight From The Gate Futurity
- The Jack Clifford
- The Hazel Lucas Stakes
Cal Expo Track Facts
- Date Track Opened: 1971
- Speed Rating: 2:001
- Length of Homestretch: 990 feet
- Width of Homestretch: 80 feet
- Starters Behind the Gate: 9
- Hubrail: 9
- "Open" Stretch: No
- Grandstand Capacity: 6,200
- Turf Club Capacity: 634
- Parking Capacity: 5,000
- Record Handle: $1,724,070 on April 7, 2000
- Record Attendance: 36,943 visitors on July 4, 1982
