Oaklawn Park has hired Kevin Seymore as track superintendent in advance of the 2013 live meet.
"Oaklawn is offering me a great opportunity and I'm really looking forward to jumping right in," said Seymore in a release.
Seymore, a third generation track man, most recently worked at Fairmount Park in Collinsville, Ill., a racetrack with which his family has had a long association.
Seymore's grandfather, Kenneth, was the track superintendent there for 33 years before being succeeded by his son and Kevin's uncle Bruce.
Kevin Seymore, who trained a string of horses early in his career started on the track crew at Fairmont under his uncle in 1991, was promoted to track superintendent in 2005.
"Kevin comes highly recommended, has a lifetime of experience in racing and has the expertise we needed dealing with winter weather," said David Longinotti, assistant general manager of racing at Oaklawn, in a statement. "We are confident that he is the right person to help us maintain one of the safest tracks in America."
"I appreciate that Oaklawn involved the horsemen in their hiring decision," added trainer Steve Hobby, who is chairman of Oaklawn's track safety committee. "Kevin was very knowledgeable and seems like someone that will be open to working with the horsemen on maintaining the best track possible."
Oaklawn's barn area opens Nov. 12, and the track opens for training one week later. The 2013 meet kicks off Jan. 11.