Cal X Harness Racing
Harness Racing = Year Round – Cal Expo – Sacramento
Live Racing
January 5 – July 29, September 22 – December 16
Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat.
On Sunday, May 28. On Monday, July 3. Dark on Wednesday, April 26; May 31, July 5.
No racing on Thanksgiving day
Post Time 5:35pm (PST)
Admission and Parking
$3 Admission, Children 12 and under FREE
FREE General Parking
** PARTY AT THE RACES !!! **
Are you planning an event? Why not try something new and exciting this year and join us for LIVE harness racing action at Cal Expo. We offer exciting group packages for any occasion!
We specialize in:
Company Gatherings or Meetings
Birthdays
Retirement Parties
Bachelor/bachelorettes
Wedding Rehersal Dinners
Fraternity/Sorority Outings
Anniversary Parties
Cocktail Receptions
Political Groups
Holiday Parties
Fundraisers & MORE!
From the Official Australian Harness Racing site
What is harness racing? Often the terms “harness racing” and “the trots” are used as if they are the same. If you read on you’ll hear how they are not !
Harness racing is one of the most thrilling, action-packed, colourful entertainments. It’s also extremely popular with the betting public. Harness racing is one of three codes of racing in Australia. Along with greyhounds (dogs) and thoroughbred racing (gallops) it is a vibrant part of the entertainment industry. Many punters believe the favourite is more likely to win in harness racing than in the other codes of racing.
The unique world-wide sport of harness racing is very different to thoroughbred racing. In harness racing, a specially bred and trained horse known as a standardbred pulls a driver in a light, two-wheeled sulky The standardbred may look similar to a thoroughbred, but it is smaller, with heavier bones, a larger body, shorter legs, a more robust build and certainly greater endurance. The harness horse is, on the whole, remarkably tough, versatile and, most importantly, not as temperamental as its galloping cousin – which means its form and durability tends to be more consistent.
The modern history of harness racing goes back around 200 years . The sport really took off when the English stallion Messanger was imported into the USA in 1788. Messanger not only possessed more stamina and determination than his thoroughbred contemporaries, but was also blessed with a smooth and rapid trotting gait. Match races were common at that time, these later developed into organised track racing.
Harness racing meetings have been held in Australia for more than 130 years on tracks ranging in circumference from 700 to 1000 metres. In New South Wales, these meetings are organised by Clubs under the control of the Harness Racing Authority of NSW. Meetings usually consist of between six and nine races. Many of these meetings are held at night under floodlights, which adds to the atmosphere. The pressure of the race, the tactical strategies employed by the drivers, and the flashing silks, provide a wonderfully exciting experience.
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Sounds pretty exciting, doesn’t it?
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