Bill Knauf, who has served Monmouth Park in a variety of roles–most recently its vice president of business development–for over a quarter-century, will take up the position of president and general manager of The Maryland Jockey Club Inc., a new 501(c) (4) organization to manage and operate Thoroughbred horse racing in the state.
“We have found the perfect person to lead Maryland's groundbreaking efforts to reimagine and renew the racing experience,” said Greg Cross, chairman of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA). “Bill not only has operating experience, but the knowledge to embrace and deploy cutting-edge technology to increase wagering and profitability.”
Knauf will serve as a consultant to the MTROA until he begins his new position on Jan. 1, 2025, and he will also play a key role in the redevelopment of Pimlico Race Course, which is now getting underway, and support the running of the GI Preakness Stakes.
“Maryland racing has a storied history, and the passion of everyone from horsemen to fans runs deep,” said Knauf. “I look forward to helping drive the evolution of Pimlico Racecourse and the Preakness. I'd like to thank Chairman Greg Cross, Executive Director Marc Broady, Acting CEO Corey Johnsen and the MTROA Board for this exciting and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I also thank Dennis Drazin, chairman of Monmouth Park, and the great leadership team I worked with for the last 26 years. Monmouth will always remain special to me.”
A native of Schenectady, NY and a graduate of Tufts University and the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program, Knauf joined Monmouth in 1998. He was the chief liaison between the track and Breeders' Cup when Monmouth hosted the event in 2007 and has been directly involved with the presentation of the GI Haskell Stakes, which drew better than 38,000 racegoers to the Jersey Shore oval this past July.
In addition to racing and wagering, Knauf will also develop and implement plans for catering, entertainment, events and more at Pimlico, helping fulfill a plan intended to create a hub of economic activity in Baltimore's Park Heights community and create a foundation for the future of Maryland horseracing.
Maryland racing will be conducted at Laurel Park until renovations at Pimlico are complete. However, the 2025 Preakness–the 150th running of the race –will be held at Pimlico, and the 2026 event will be held at Laurel.
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