With no new NBA arena in sight, Cal Expo officials decided to lock up a long-term deal with their current tenants and keep racing.
During the weekend, Cal Expo reached a tentative six-year agreement with its harness horsemen to keep them in Sacramento through at least 2013 with options for 2014 and 2015.
Just three weeks after their board of directors pledged a move to Fresno by 2011, the horsemen endorsed the new pact, their first multiyear contract with Cal Expo.
"We're staying put at Cal Expo," said Ben Kenney, president of the California Harness Horsemen's Association. "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."
Since 2000, Cal Expo has been harness racing's only California venue, and most horsemen live and own farms in the Sacramento area.
"Nobody's talking about Fresno now," said Cal Expo racing director David Elliott. "Under the new contract, we're guaranteeing a minimum of 140 nights of (harness) racing a year. The horsemen can make a go (of it) and breathe easier."
As a bonus, Cal Expo immediately increased its purses by 15 percent, starting this week.
Stalled because of the poor economy, the current plan to build an NBA arena at Cal Expo calls for the demolition of the racetrack, grandstand and barns.
"The NBA arena is still a huge concern of ours," Kenney said. "What happens in four years? We want to make sure our industry goes forward. We made a painstaking effort to look at Fresno (and its county fairgrounds). We're still talking to them about possibly (using that track) during Cal Expo's summer breaks. It was a good dry run."
Meanwhile, Cal Expo is finalizing plans to move its summer thoroughbred meet to July with the State Fair, but that switch needs approval by the California Horse Racing Board.
Call The Bee's Debbie Arrington, (916) 321-1075.
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