by Mark Ratzky, for Watch and Wager.com

Sacramento, CA — The California Horse Racing Board unanimously approved the license application of new harness operator Watch and Wager.com LLC at their Thursday (August 23) meeting.

The Board also approved the management agreement between Watch and Wager and Golden Bear Racing LLC for the day-to-day operation of the race meet.

The approval was contingent on the receipt of a few outstanding safety items.

“We sincerely thank the Commissioners for their strong show of support for the continuation of California harness racing,” said Chris Schick of Golden Bear Racing.

The Watch and Wager meet will kick off on Friday (Nov. 2). The meet is scheduled to run through May 11, 2013, with Friday and Saturday programs until Dec. 22, then Thursday, Friday and Saturday racing through the remainder of the meeting.

Overnight purses are estimated to begin at $41,500 per race night, with total purses at $55,000 nightly, including late closers and sire stakes.

The purse schedule, a new horse incentive plan and a schedule for the late-closing events will be released next week. New horseman are very much welcome and Cal Expo has ample stalls available on the grounds with no stall rent.

For more information, please feel free to contact Chris Schick at Chris@goldenbearracing.com or Ben Kenney at Ben@goldenbearracing.com.