Dan Eidson Named Aqueduct Racing Secretary

Dan Eidson, who has previously worked at Golden Gate Fields, Delaware Park, and most recently at Betfair Hollywood Park, has been named racing secretary at Aqueduct Racetrack, the New York Racing Association announced Jan. 17.

Eidson, 63, will serve as assistant racing secretary at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course as well, the NYRA said in a press release.

He was Hollywood Park's racing secretary for its final meet this fall. There he succeeded Martin Panza, who began in November as NYRA's senior vice president of racing operations. Previously, Eidson had assisted Panza at Hollywood Park and worked as the track's stakes coordinator since 2002.

"Dan is a skilled racing secretary who has worked for me for more than 10 years and has a good idea of what I'm looking for," said Panza. "He will be a real asset to The New York Racing Association and to the horsemen of New York."

A native of Palo Alto, Calif., Eidson first worked as a groom for trainers Cecil Jolly and Bobby Frankel before assisting trainer Eddie Gregson for several years, including 1982 when the stable won the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) with Gato Del Sol.

Following a brief stint as a trainer, Eidson became assistant racing secretary to Bob Umphrey at Golden Gate Fields. After Umphrey left for Florida, Eidson took over and worked as Golden Gate's racing secretary from 1985-2000.

Eidson was Delaware Park's racing secretary in 2001 before Panza hired him at Hollywood Park.

"Whenever you are new to an area, you always have a 'welcome' mat, and so far everybody at NYRA has been very helpful and very supportive," said Eidson. "It's great, and I'm looking forward to working here."