Louisiana Downs is pleased to announce that Matt Crawford has been named Racing Secretary, effective July 18. He will oversee racing office operations for both the current Thoroughbred racing season and the 2023 Quarter Horse meet at the Bossier City, La., track.
Crawford, 65, began his career in horse racing as an assistant trainer. His association with Louisiana Downs began in 1980 with one of his trainees, Big Sturgeon, named 1987 Horse of the Meet.
Crawford made the transition to numerous racing office roles, beginning at Louisiana Downs, where he was employed as assistant racing secretary from 2008-2013. He has served as racing secretary at Delta Downs, Canterbury Park, Sam Houston Race Park, Ruidoso Downs, Zia Park and Hialeah Park. Most recently, Crawford was racing secretary for the Lone Star Park Fall Meet of Champions and assistant racing secretary for their 2021 and 2022 Thoroughbred live racing seasons.
The native Texan is looking forward to returning to the Bossier City racetrack, encouraged by the dedication to racing by new owner Kevin Preston and Mitch Dennison, Louisiana Downs General Manager of Racing.
“I know so many horsemen in this region who are thrilled with the direction of Louisiana Downs,” said Crawford. “As someone in the industry who began training racehorses, I share the commitment of Kevin and Mitch in creating energy and enthusiasm for our sport. They have a great racing office team in place, led by Jennifer Sokol, Racing Operations Manager and assistant Racing Secretary, Tammy Peck. I am looking forward to this opportunity.”
In turn, Dennison knows that Crawford's expertise as a racing secretary coupled with his long term associations with Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas horsemen, will make for a smooth transition.
“Matt has a noted tenure in our industry and knows our region very well,” said Dennison. “We are fully committed to serving our horsemen at the highest level and know that Matt shares that goal. He joins an established racing office team, well-coordinated by Jennifer Sokol. There is no doubt that Matt will be a great fit as he returns to Louisiana Downs.”
The 2022 Thoroughbred meet at Louisiana Downs began on Saturday, May 7 with live racing each Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Louisiana Cup Day, featuring six stakes for Louisiana-breds is set for Saturday, August 6. The purse for each has been raised to $67,000 with nominations closing on July 23. The 84-day live racing season will conclude on September 27.
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