Racing Secretary

Michael F. Prunetti, a veteran NYRA employee, passed away March 15 at the age of 77. Remembered by his NYRA colleagues in a note released Saturday, Prunetti spent over 40 years as a racing official around New York tracks including time as the Assistant Racing Secretary. "What a kind gentleman he was," recalled NYRA Stakes Coordinator Andrew Byrnes. "Mike took the time to teach me how to do things the right way. I learned a tremendous amount under him. He was one of the best. He was a jewel." Prunetti...

Santa Anita has canceled Friday's card due to heavy rain forecast for the area beginning Thursday. Most of the races scheduled for Friday will be brought back as "extras" on Saturday, according to a notice from the racing office. "We're looking at a low end of probably two inches of rain between late Thursday and Friday with a high end closer to five inches," said Jason Egan, Santa Anita director of racing and racing secretary. Friday was originally scheduled to be a dark day at Santa Anita following Monday's special...

Louisiana Downs has named Matt Crawford the new racing secretary for both the current Thoroughbred meet and the 2023 Quarter Horse meet. He had previously been assistant racing secretary at the Bossier City track from 2008-13 and has since served as racing secretary at Delta Downs, Canterbury Park, Sam Houston Race Park, Ruidoso Downs, Zia Park, Hialeah, and Lone Star. "Matt has a noted tenure in our industry and knows our region very well," said general manager of racing Mitch Dennison. "We are fully committed to serving our horsemen at...

Prairie Meadows Racetrack has tabbed Stuart Slagle as racing secretary for the upcoming 2022 meet, which will comprise 84 live race days beginning May 13. Slagle had previously served as a racing official at the Iowa track in 2006, but was most recently the racing secretary and Director of Thoroughbred Race Planning and Analysis at Woodbine in Canada. "What Stuart has accomplished and excelled at in his prior endeavors within the racing industry really stood out and convinced me that he'll be a fine asset to our team in the...

Michael Costanzo has been appointed Gulftream Park's new racing secretary, replacing the outgoing Dave Bailey. Costanzo had served as the track's assistant racing secretary for the past year. A Chicago native and graduate of the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program, he joined the Gulfstream racing office in 2009 and was its stakes coordinator for five years before becoming assistant racing secretary. He was previously part of the Breeders' Cup notes team and public relations manager at Calder Race Course. "We're delighted with the work Mike has done for...

Arlington Park's former director of racing and racing secretary, Chris Polzin, will assume the same titles and duties at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, beginning Monday, Oct. 26. Associated with racing for nearly 40 years, Polzin is an Illinois native whose father, Elmer Polzin, was a Chicago-area turf writer and handicapper. Polzin has been with Arlington Park since the early '80s, holding positions ranging from press box statistician to clerk of scales. He was the director of racing and racing secretary for the past 11 years. "I'm very excited and...