Oaklawn Park has announced the appointment of Jamie Richardson as track superintendent for the Hot Springs, Arkansas track.
According to a release, Richardson, who has worked in similar roles at Pimlico and Laurel racetracks in Maryland, was selected following a nationwide search. He will begin his new position June 20.
Richardson was named track superintendent at Pimlico in 1989 and remained in that position until Laurel and Pimlico consolidated their track maintenance departments in 2008. In addition to his work in Maryland, he was instrumental in the installation of the dirt and turf courses at Colonial Downs in 1997.
Richardson’s late father, Jimmy Richardson, bred and trained Thoroughbreds primarily in Maryland, and his mother and sister have been longtime employees in the racing offices at Pimlico and Laurel.
“This is a great opportunity,” Richardson said in a statement. “Oaklawn takes their racing seriously. More importantly, the track has a great safety record and I look forward to the challenge of improving that record. Everybody I’ve talked to about Oaklawn, tell me they love it.”
“Not only has he been responsible for maintaining the racetrack on one of the sport’s biggest stages – Preakness Stakes Day – but he also knows the challenges that face a track during the winter months and has an excellent record.,” said David Longinotti, assistant general manager of racing. “It should also be noted that he will become just the third trackman at Oaklawn in the last 35 years. We are proud of our long history of having a safe, fair racetrack and we look forward to working with Jamie on providing one of the best dirt tracks in the country.”
Oaklawn Park
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