Ben Huffman, director of racing/racing secretary at Fair Grounds.
Churchill Downs Inc. announced Thursday that Ben Huffman has been named director of racing and racing secretary for Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, La.Huffman will assume his new position as soon as CDI completes the purchase of Fair Grounds, which is scheduled to occur on or before Oct. 15. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, authorized the sale of Fair Grounds to CDI on Sept. 24.Huffman will report to Randall Soth, who was recently named president and general manager of Fair Grounds, pending the completion of CDI's acquisition of the track and its affiliated off-track betting network.Huffman, a 35-year-old native of Louisville, Ky., served as director of racing and racing secretary at Fair Grounds during the 2003-2004 racing season and will continue in his current posts as racing secretary for both the fall and spring meets at Keeneland in Lexington. Keeneland's fall meet opens Friday. Huffman will also be a placing judge for portions of Churchill Downs' fall and spring meets that do not conflict with his live racing schedule at Fair Grounds."I am excited to return to Fair Grounds and to expand upon my professional relationship with the management team at Churchill Downs Incorporated," said Huffman in a release. "Fair Grounds already offers an attractive racing product, and I look forward to working with Louisiana horsemen and my team in the racing office as we build on that tradition. I welcome the chance to be part of the team."Assisting Huffman in the Fair Grounds racing office will be Jason M. Boulet and David Heitzman, who will serve as co-assistant racing secretaries. Boulet will also serve as stakes coordinator.
