I was charged $42 for two beers. I think the lady double charged me in the bar for two beers as no where has charged that much. Bring a cooler with food and drinks because the bartender is incompetent. The horse racing and track want bad. It can be a nice place to go. It was kid friendly. I'm just a little salty I got double charged. read more

This review is about the betting selections for this track. As far as i can tell the only track in america that has only one superfecta race per card and sometimes zero. Most races are very chalky i will play elsewhere suggest all do the same. read more

This review is for the thoroughbred racing during the CA State Fair. We took in the whole day on Saturday, the 23rd. We had a great time. We aren't experienced and/or terribly knowledgeable about horses, but we have fun taking it in and placing a few bucks on the horses. It took some getting used to the automated waging machines. They aren't user friendly and you have to deposit money in a different machine to load money on a voucher. A ridiculously stupid, inefficient, and complicated process. No staff around to assist, and such poor signage. This is why I docked them a star. read more

Super fun evening on Family Fun Night at CalExpo Harness Racing! Free parking is awesome and was very convenient to the entrance. We got there and headed for the bar which is always a blast especially with bartenders Bambi and Ralph. They are straight shooters, no BS hosts and pour a great drink. Bar is easy in and out to the outside on a beautiful fall night. We joined photos in the winner circle which was the highlight. Downside: the line for food was horrendous. I got in it three times to get a bottled water and NEVER made it to the front of the line ONCE! Each time I needed to step out to watch the race. Would love to see either more servers or more stations. read more

What a place. I've recently heard of these races and I've been there every weekend so far! Free parking, free admission, and free vibes! You can come with friends and or family and bet as much as you want. Last Saturday of the month is family night and they have $2 hot dogs, popcorn and beer! read more

Here for a meeting prior to the running of the Kentucky Derby. Although Cal Expo has done some upgrades to this facility, it is really showing its age. Employees working the concessions have no personality. This place could be so much more. $$$. read more

CalExpo Harness Racing - Horse Racing Near Me - Sacramento, California

If you are looking for a place to relax and sit down in the shade at the fair this is your place. The races are fun to watch and are very relaxing. They also have food vendors in this area. You can't bring food from the fair into here. I did see several large ice chests and people sitting in their own chairs enjoying the races. If you were making a day of it I can see why you need an ice chest. Next time I'd like to stay longer. We just caught the last race. The area around the track is beautiful. Very lush. read more

We went two different days to the harness racing and had a blast. Won some money just guessing on the horses. Was able to bring my two tiny poodles which was fantastic. We had food and it was good. All employees were nice and helpful. One of the ticket a man tellers where I would bet was very nice, helpful, knowledgeable and friendly and he made our night even greater with his all around attitude, thank you for your making our night special. You are awesome. Would recommend going here! read more

Horse racing is not everyone's cup of tea - or mint julep - but for those interested in betting on horses making left turns, CalExpo Harness Racing does fit the bill. Even though they are open all year round, their location at the California Exposition makes them a fun option while attending the California State Fair as well. When the fair is over, parking is much easier although you will miss out on the fried Oreos. There are several races per day, but the first race is always a treat. They hire someone to dress up and play the traditional horn to announce the beginning of the day's races which is pretty cool. Of course, winning money is the main reason to be here. On my trip, I did win, but the race was very short. I would prefer a longer race more like the Triple Crown, but it was still nice anyway. The facility has food options, but most people just want to catch a buzz with the plentiful drink options. This can be a fun options, but is mainly a hold over from when casinos were far away and gambling options were more limited. Heading to Red Hawk or Thunder Valley may be a more exciting way to lose money these days, but it is always cool to try something more retro. read more

CalExpo Harness Racing - Racetrack Entrance with Classic Car Displays - Horse Racing Near Me - Sacramento, California

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This review is specifically about the bartender at the Turf Club. We were there on 7/30/22 from 2-330pm for a drink and to watch the races. This was during the State Fair. My friend (White) sat at the bar with her toddler and was immediately approached by the bartender to take her order. She ordered a tequila drink with soda water and a plain soda water for her daughter. I was sitting right next to my friend and was completely ignored by the bartender. I wasn't offended because I didn't quite know what to get and I figured he would come back when he had finished my friend's order. But he didn't. Instead, he approached and served multiple people after that, some who had been sitting at the bar before we got there. Note: the bar was practically empty at this time. Finally, after watching him walk past me for 20 mins, I caught his attention and asked for a G&T and soda water. He told me they didn't serve soda water (even though he had served my friend sitting right next to me almost the same thing 20mins ago). I asked for water and he said I could get it at the water coolers OUTSIDE. Normally, I would have called him out on what felt like blatant prejudicial treatment - I was the only Brown person at the bar at the time - but I didn't want to make a scene (though, thank you social media!). I am not at all surprised at such incidents, but it is disappointing to note the frequency with which they occur. Turf Club at Cal Expo should do better. This is not acceptable. read more

It's too bad "Luck" wasn't a more interesting or popular HBO show. If it was, maybe it would help give amazing facilities like this one the exposure and recognition they need. In the meantime, all I can do is hope that the races will continue and the attendees will eventually come in droves much like in "Field of Dreams." My only occasion here was an amazing and surreal experience during a Yelp gathering. A group of us ate from an all you can eat buffet in a private second level dining area complete with TV's and its own bar. On this perfect spring day we stood on the deck and watched the harness racing on the mile-long race track circling pools of beautiful blue water. Each race was a new and exciting event. Even if you weren't betting, it was great to hear the excitement in the announcer's voice and watch the horses take off in dusty streaks around the track. it was also exciting to place a bet. Our group was lucky enough to get rides in the pace car as well. I'll reiterate what a previous reviewer said - that this is one of Sacramento's hidden gems. Check it out while it's still around! read more

This review is for the satellite wagering facility. I went on Kentucky Derby day...I know I know...I was prepared for a crowd but not the sardine pack I experienced. I got there around 1 pm. I left not long after. I didn't place any bets; I couldn't get into a groove ...the place was crowded, too dirty, literal garbage piling up inside, bird poop exterior seating and sidewalk, and not enough employees vs attendees. Wagering facility: overcrowded. I would bet money that they exceeded the fire code. I don't think the attendance is computerized. I paid my $4 for entry, they give you a carnival tic stub, I give that stub to a guy that sits next to a turnstile. If I want to leave and return, I have to get my hand stamped. Do they keep taking admission until they run out of carnival stubs ?!? To grab some oxygen, I went outside. But that seemed just as worse. Bird poop sidewalk and benches. Is the State not making a profit?! Can they not afford to clean and power wash once in awhile. Dirty. Since there was soooo many people there. The refuse of food containers, snot rags were all over the place....garbage on the tables, in the wagering cubes, on the floor ...everywhere...gross. The trash cans were overflowing. I did not see 1 employee cleaning. Parking : it's free for the race track/ wagering facility. But that day, cal expo had a massive girls volleyball tournament happening. Both parking was via the same gate. So to drive into the racetrack parking lot, i had to perpendicular cross the flow of cars leaving the tournament. What a cluster F . Think Frogger. No parking lot attendant to sort the madness. read more

While i am not the biggest fan of Harness racing, this place is actually pretty awesome. The people that hang around the track are almost as fun to watch as the races them selves, i think the word "characters" sums it all up. We had a wonderful night here, my girlfriend wanted to take take her dad who was visiting from New Jersey to the race track, he often frequents the meadowland, and knows his stuff about racing. A friend of hers that work's at the track was able to get us all rides in the pace car. Wow, the adrenaline that you feel when those horses are running at 35 MPH right in front of you is amazing and something that i will never forget. My only hope is that they get rid of Harness Racing and bring in some real thoroughbreds, then people will actually come and check out a race, but until then, i highly recommend coming here, having a drink and maybe casting a few bets. Good Luck! read more

I have to give it 5 stars because there is nothing to compare it with. Only open Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. Watching these trotters and pacers is fun! You can bet as little as $1 each race. They have daily drink specials. I like going to the club house for dinner and a couple of races. The food is decent and the clientele varied. Parking is FREE. I have had 5 fundraisers in the club house and participants love the unique setting. They will name a race for your group and you get a photo in the winners circle. They also offer rides in the pace car for your group to raffle off. Check it out. read more

I came here Saturday with a group of friends. We enjoyed sitting outside at the picnic tables. Lots of families with their kids came out. Had a great time betting on the horses. $1 Beer/$1 Wine/$1 Hot Dogs every Saturday night! If you're bored and are looking for some cheap fun, why not head to the races (they go through mid December)! There's a bar and plenty of seating inside. Free parking and free entry! Whaddya waiting for?! Website: http://calexpoharness.com/default.asp read more

I have no idea how to bet, but there are friendly and sweet people at the information booth and the bar! Customer service is A-OK with me! read more

Today, I had to wait 30 minutes before I finally got up and had to ASK for service at the Turf Club. Placed an order for two glasses of wine, then took ANOTHER 20 minutes before waitress asked to clarify if i wanted premium or house wine. It was absolutely ridiculous. On top of that, the windows and floors are disgustingly filthy. I am never coming back to this sad excuse for a "club." read more

CalExpo Harness Racing - $13 for stale toast? - Horse Racing Near Me - Sacramento, California

What a disappointing experience. Years ago this was a terrific venue. Now the club house and turf club is closed and the box seats have no chairs and the grandstand seats haven't been cleaned in months. Dust on the handrails was evident. There were no betting windows or machines operating on the grandstand level, forcing people to walk down 50 plus stairs to place a bet. I won't be back. Worse track experience ever read more

I know absolutely nothing about horse racing but after being convinced by a friend that it would be a good way to spend my evening I made a couple of bets and walked away $7 ahead!!! Overall the experience was exactly like how they portray it in old mobster movies. The lines are chock full of old men reading the paper and rooting for their favorite pony to make them a fortune. I guess it's pretty cool that we have a place like this in Sacramento, since judging by the amount of people patronizing the event, it's unlikely they will be around much longer. read more

Saturday night was dollar night, dollar drinks, dollar dogs and I ended up winning 50 bucks, fun times on the cheap.

Don't spend your social security check anywhere else! What better way to turn $1 into $250?

Excellent ! Spend the day. At the turf club, enjoy great lunch,watch the races, and win lots of $.

We where there for country in the park great place for concerts great veiw and seating

I went with my friends last night and the parking and admission was FREE!!!! what can you do in this town where you get in for free??? Anyway we had fun and the guys next to us at the bar who seemed like regulars helped us understand the program. We didn't make a profit but we cashed tickets 3 times and we will be back. read more

Had a blast at CalExpo for Harness Racing with Yelp's Day At The Races! This is a great facility with top notch staff. Myself and fellow yelpers went up to clubhouse where we got to watch the exciting chariot races with plenty of Mint Julips to go around. We were attended to by a great bartender and very gracious waiter who made sure the night truly memorable. There was a huge spread of steak and turkey with all the sides you could want and three different cakes to choose from for dessert. Neither my wife or I won on our bets but that didn't detract at all from a perfect evening. Riding in the pace car and watching a race yards away from the action was the high point for me. Being treated like VIPs by the pace car people while doing so was icing on the cake. One of our party even got to watch a horse/ jockey team win her bet from the pace car which was awesome. To top it off we got to be photographed in the winner's circle. Needless to say I will be back very soon! read more