Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission at its Tuesday (June 30) meeting approved an order naming acting directors of its Standardbred and Thoroughbred bureaus.
In late May, the Standardbred bureau director Tony Salerno, Thoroughbred bureau director Tom Chuckas, and Jason Klouser, the PHRC director of enforcement, were relieved of their duties. The PHRC does not comment on personnel matters.
The commission appointed Walter Remmert, who serves as director of the Bureau of Administrative Services under the state Department of Agriculture and previously held positions on the commission, as acting director of the Standardbred bureau. Nancy Alicea, currently PHRC steward at Presque Isle Downs & Casino, was appointed acting director of the Thoroughbred bureau.
The position of director of enforcement wasn’t discussed at the meeting.
PHRC chairman Russell Redding, secretary of the state Department of Agriculture, said interviews are continuing for the bureau director positions and that he hopes to have people in place by the end August. Christopher Davis, acting deputy secretary of the Department of Agriculture, conducted most of the June 30 meeting.
Representatives of various racing organizations updated the PHRC on schedules during the regional heat wave expected to last through at least July 3-4. They all said the schedules are subject to change depending on the latest conditions.
Hollywood Casino at The Meadows plans to race at its regular post time of 12:45 p.m. July 1-2. The July 3 program already was scheduled to begin at 5:10 p.m.
Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack will make a decision soon regarding its July 2-3 programs that are scheduled to begin at 12:25 p.m. Mike Harant, executive director of the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, said racing Thursday and Friday “might be a challenge.”
The next live card at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania is set for July 4, when temperatures are expected to drop a bit into next week.