Sal Sinatra, director of racing at Parx Racing in Pennsylvania, is leaving to take the position of vice president and general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, which is owned by The Stronach Group.
According to sources, Sinatra will be at Laurel Park effective Dec. 8. He began working at Parx about 16 years ago when the track was called Philadelphia Park.
Sinatra has overseen the racing program at Parx before and after the introduction of racetrack slot machines in Pennsylvania, and has been instrumental in elevating the status of the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) and Cotillion Stakes (gr. I) in recent years. This year's respective winners, Bayern and Untapable, won the Breeders' Cup Classic and Breeders' Cup Distaff (both gr. I), respectively.
The Blood-Horse has been unable to confirm the status of Tom Chuckas, president and chief operating officer of the MJC, which operates Laurel and Pimlico Race Course. Chuckas took the job in June 2008 and was a key player in the 10-year agreement with horsemen and breeders that provided stability for Maryland racing when it was signed in December 2012.
Chuckas also oversaw changes regarding the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico, such as improving the infield experience and growing business on the Friday Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) program.
It wasn't immediately known if the hiring of Sinatra impacts Chuckas' position at the MJC.
