2005 - Harness Tracks of America, Inc.

HARNESS TRACKS OF AMERICAExecutive NewsletterA daily fax and e-mail report on racing and gaming developments in North America and beyondStanley F. Bergstein, EditorSABLE LEAVES FOR CHURCHILLSable J. Downs, HTA’s Executive Assistant andInformation Architect for the last five years, hasbecome the latest in a long procession of executiveassistants to move on to higher posts. Sablehas accepted a position as Manager of CustomerRelationship Management Analytics at ChurchillDowns, and leaves HTA this week with our warmestgood wishes in her new career. She has administeredthe HTA Scholarship Fund, compiledand edited its annual art auction catalogue and theHTA World Racing Directory, and coordinatedHTA/TRA meeting planning, among many otherduties since joining HTA after being named outstandingsenior in the class of 1999 at the RaceTrack Industry Program of the University of Arizona.Joining HTA’s permanent staff are two exceptionalrising young talents and a skilled replacement forcontroller Julie Golden.Assuming Sable’s duties will be Jessica Carner,former editor of the Bridger Valley Pioneer inLyman, Wyoming, city editor of the Humboldt-Wells Times in her hometown of Wells, Nevada,and sports editor of the Uinta County Herald inEvanston, Wyoming, where she covered all sports,including horse racing at Wyoming Downs. Jessicawill serve as HTA’s new Editorial Coordinator.In addition to handling Sable’s editing of allHTA publications, she will write the weekly Promotionsat HTA Tracks and handle associationnews releases. An accomplished equestrienne,Jess has ridden since childhood, started trainingwith her father when she was 7, and has participatedin rodeos and other riding activities sincethat time.Brody Johnson, now in his final semesterat Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program,is joining HTA as Research Analyst.April 19, 2005Brody took his first job in racing at 15 and hasserved since that time as a chart caller forEquibase, assistant general manager and racingsecretary at Wyoming Downs, assistant managerat Wyoming Off-Track Betting, and host of a handicappingshow called “Let It Ride.” He hasworked in marketing and promotion and comesfrom a family with a rich history of owning, training,breeding and riding. His brother BillyPeterson was the leading Quarter Horse jockeyin America in 1995 winning nearly $2 million inpurses, and Brody’s family continues breedingand racing quarter horses and thoroughbredsacross the west.Also new to HTA’s staff is Libbie Gabriel, whohas taken over for controller Julie Golden. Mrs.Golden, a 10-year HTA employee, has left becauseof the growth and increasing demands ofher own accounting firm. Libbie is another graduateof the University of Arizona Race Track IndustryProgram, receiving her Bachelor of Sciencedegree there in December of 1997 and subsequentlyworking as a simulcast program producerat Monmouth Park and Data ProcessingManager and Project Supervisor for CHRIMS,the California Horse Racing Information ManagementSystems in Dublin, California.A “DREAM” AT NORTHLANDSThe Edmonton Journal headline read,“Northlands unveils $150 Million Dream,” asHTA’s strong member in the far west announcedits plans yesterday to demolish two aging buildingsand build a major exposition center as partof the largest redevelopment in the organization’shistory. “It’s something that we can build our futureon,” general manager Ken Knowles said, notingthat the organization had a 125-year historybehind it. “With the additional facilities on thissite, we will certainly ensure the future ofNorthlands Park.” Construction in the 10-year plan gets underway this spring.