Cal-Expo In Trouble

[sea biscuit]

A decision affecting Harness Racing Operations has been made.

News Release

December 10, 2011

Sacramento - 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.

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.

http://www.calxharness.com/doc.asp?id=2420

[Mr. B]

Actually no real trouble.  This step had to be taken by the board before a new owner could be identified to run the racing operations at Cal Expo.  Cal Expo needs new ownership badly, and with this step, I would imagine we will now get some new ownership identified within a month or two to take over next year!

[sea biscuit]

Actually no real trouble.  This step had to be taken by the board before a new owner could be identified to run the racing operations at Cal Expo.  Cal Expo needs new ownership badly, and with this step, I would imagine we will now get some new ownership identified within a month or two to take over next year!

And what would happen if they fail to find a new owner/operator?

[LVGaryD]

And what would happen if they fail to find a new owner/operator?

That will not happen according to my highly placed sources.  If it does, then they will be in trouble. 

[careless hal]

Think a consortium from ITS should take it over.  Mr B and LVGD could be the head honchos.  Can we get a loan?  Maybe a LLC. 

[sea biscuit]

Maybe they should approach Gural. One more race track would not make much of a difference to him.