Cal Expo to Resume Racing November 2

In a recent blog entry, I discussed the likelihood of an agreement ot resume racing at Cal Expo. Here is a press release which elaborates further on the deal. The press release does not mention Golden Bear Racing, the management team which EWS is planning to use to run the harness meet.:

Cal Expo and European Wagering Services (EWS) One Step Closer to Fall Harness Racing Meet

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 2) – At its June 29^th meeting, the Board of Directors of the California Exposition & State Fair unanimously approved a term sheet outlining the major components of a proposed agreement for the operation of a harness racing meet between the parties.

European Wagering Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Webis Holdings PLC traded on the London AIM. EWS holds licenses with the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision commission and the North Dakota Racing Commission for operating the advance deposit wagering platforms link2bet and WatchandWager respectively.

The next steps in the process will be to:

1. Draft a final agreement to ratify by the Board of Directors of each entity
2. Request the allocation and approval of harness racing dates at Cal Expo from the California Horse Racing Board
3. Submit for approval an application to operate a harness racing meeting by EWS to the California Horse Racing Board.

“We are pleased that EWS has stepped forward to operate the harness racing meet here at Cal Expo” said Racing Committee chair Cynthia Bryant.  “Our hope has always been that harness racing would continue at Cal Expo as it supports many jobs and greatly impacts the local economy.”

The proposed harness racing meet at Cal Expo will begin on November 2, 2012 and conclude on May 11, 2013 and will operate on a two and three day per week schedule.