Veteran racing official and horseman Fred Hutton has been named director of racing operations at Zia Park in Hobbs, N.M., effective March 24.
Hutton will oversee the racing office and serve as the track's point person on all racing matters. He also will coordinate Zia's efforts with the New Mexico Racing Commission, the New Mexico Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, and the New Mexico Horse Breeders Association.
"I'm excited to join the Zia Park and Penn National Gaming team on a full-time basis," Hutton said in a release. "There is a lot of opportunity for continued improvement in the racing program at Zia Park and we want to make our operation the racing leader in New Mexico."
"Having Fred join our team is another step in our continued efforts to enhance our racing program at Zia Park," said general manager Rafael Verde in a release.
Hutton was a jockey and trainer for more than 30 years and became a racing official and member of the starting gate crew at Thistledown in Cleveland, Ohio in the early 1990s. Hutton joined Remington Park in 2000, serving as director of racing/racing secretary, stakes coordinator, and director of simulcasting.
Hutton has served on a seasonal basis as racing secretary at Zia Park since 2011. He was racing secretary at Prairie Meadows in 2012.
"Fred adds another strong piece to the Penn National Gaming racing team," said Christopher McErlean, vice president of racing for Penn National Gaming, Inc.
"We have already started working on some exciting plans that will hopefully be announced shortly and which I think will be well received," McErlean said.