McDermott New Track Super at Lone Star

George McDermott will be the new track superintendent at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Lone Star general manager Jeff Greco confirmed the hiring, saying McDermott, who's presently the track superintendent at Louisiana Downs, will begin work Oct. 17.

During McDermott's tenure in Bossier City, La., the Louisiana Downs racing surface attained a reputation as a safe and fair surface.

The Lone Star surface, however, has been a source of controversy in recent years. The controversy nearly ignited into rebellion this past season, when several horse owners and trainers openly complained that Lone Star was too fast and was unkind to horses. And in July, when the Lone Star meet conclcuded, some trainers even suggested they might not return in 2006 if steps were not taken to improve the surface.

"Sometimes it's good to move on to bigger and better things," McDermott said about the move down Interstate-20 to Texas. "I've done what I can for Louisiana Downs, and I?m leaving it in good shape."

McDermott will replace Ron Moore, who has been the track superintendent since Lone Star opened in 1997. Moore is returning to his native California.