Edited press release
Bernie Hettel, who served as an association steward at Gulfstream Park this past meet, has been named manager of racing operations by track president and general manager Bill Murphy.
Hettel, a nationally known steward prior to his arrival in Florida this past winter, will assume his duties immediately.
“Bernie Hettel has a solid reputation in this industry and he’s an outstanding addition to our staff,” Murphy said. “A horsemen as well as an administrator who has industry-wide respect, he knows we have tremendous expectations for the 2008 meeting. He also knows that for the meeting to be successful, he needs to get to work right away.”
Hettel plans to visit racetracks throughout the East this spring and summer.
“Gulfstream Park is obviously one of the country’s greatest racetracks and Frank Stronach, chairman of Magna Entertainment Corp., and Bill Murphy have plans to make it something very, very special,” Hettel said. “It’s a pleasure to work with Bill and it will be a privilege, and great fun as well, to be play an expanded role in an exciting project.”
Hettel, a 56-year-old Louisville, Ky. Native, served as the longtime executive director of the old Kentucky Racing Commission and state chief steward. He also has served as a consultant for MEC.
