Director of Racing Alexandra Lightbown thanks seasonal racing staff for a successful 2019 season
- December 30, 2019
- by MGC Communications
- 0 comments
As we reach the end of the 2019 racing season, I wanted to take a moment to recognize the tireless efforts of MGC’s Division of Racing staff.
They perform their jobs with great enthusiasm and precision, working in all kinds of weather and adjusting to varying schedules. Their work at Plainridge Park Casino enables the thriving Standardbred industry, which saw the return of the Spirit of Massachusetts Trot (with a $250,000 purse) and the addition of the Clara Barton Pace (with a $100,000 purse). Together, those races helped to bring national attention to Plainridge.
The staff also worked the festival racing weekends at Suffolk Downs, with 2019 being the last year of live racing at the historic race track.
Between the two tracks, the Division of Racing issued more than 1,800 licenses, and more than 2,000 horses were tested both pre-race and post-race.
>>RELATED: MGC works behind the scenes as Spirit of Massachusetts Trot returns to Plainridge Park Casino
From those in the test barn, to the judge’s booth and the licensing office staff, the Racing Division truly takes pride in its work. It’s obvious they care about the participants of each event, the integrity of racing, and of course, the great athletic horses.
For the seasonal racing staff, many of them return to their other work, commit to their education, or enjoy the winter months until the racing season begins again in April. We wish them well until opening day in 2020, and we thank them for contributing to another successful racing season in 2019.