(edited press release)
John J. Brunetti has announced that his son, John J. Brunetti Jr., and racing industry veterans Randall E. Soth and Dennis Testa will head up the management team for the redeveloped Hialeah Park. The South Florida track that last had live racing in 2001 is scheduled to reopen later this year or in early 2010 for Quarter Horse racing.
According to a release from Hialeah, the younger Brunetti will serve as Hialeah’s president and will head the development of the 200-acre South Florida site where the track is located. He has been with the Brunetti organization for 20 years, and for the past 10 years has been special assistant to his father for the strategic planning of all business activities.
Soth, who was vice president of Calder Race Course before becoming president of Fair Grounds in New Orleans, will serve as Hialeah’s vice president and general manager. Soth left Fair Grounds in August 2008.
A former racing secretary at Hialeah, Soth directed the rebuilding of Fair Grounds following Hurricane Katrina and also oversaw the installation of alternative gaming at the track. Most recently, he was general manager and CEO of Caymanas Track Ltd.
Testa, whose family has been associated with Hialeah since the 1960s, will be vice president of operations. He previously held the title of chief of operations at Gulfstream Park.