Andy Kure, head of the simulcasting department for Magna Entertainment and Santa Anita Park, died Thursday due to complications from cancer.The 49-year-old Kure, who was based at Santa Anita, had been with Magna for seven years. "Andy was such a special person and he was the best in the (simulcasting) business," said Santa Anita President Ron Charles. "Magna and Santa Anita were so fortunate to have had the talents of such a dedicated, gifted man. Andy worked long hours, seven days a week. His job was his life."A native of Seattle, Wash., Kure was born on Nov. 21, 1957. His first experience in Thoroughbred horse racing came as a pari-mutuel clerk at the now-defunct Longacres Racecourse near Seattle. "Andy had a wealth of experience and, although he worked primarily behind the scenes, we all benefited from his knowledge of the simulcasting business," said Charles. "He had an amazing ability to factor in and prioritize the complexities of the ever-expanding impact of simulcasting on pari-mutuel handle. Andy's passing is a huge loss for all of his friends, Santa Anita, and the entire racing industry."
Memorial services will be private.
