The new officers are:

• Dr Rick Mitchell, Chair; representing United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)
• Marilyn Bertera, Vice Chair; representing United States Trotting Association
• Matt Iuliano, Treasurer; representing The Jockey Club
• Kristin Werner, Secretary; representing The Jockey Club

At the same event, the following standing committee chairs were approved:

• Kathy Alm, of PATH International as chair of Equine Welfare
• Katie Flynn, DVM, of USEF as chair of Health & Regulatory
• Joe Wilson of TRA as chair of Racing Advisory
• Randy Rasmussen of Back Country Horsemen's Association as chair of Recreation/Trails/Land Use
• Billy Smith, PhD, of National Reining Horse Association as chair of Shows/Competitions

“The American Horse Council thrives on the variety of viewpoints and passions of our Board of Trustees and our committee chairs,” said President Julie Broadway. “With these new additions, we're comfortable moving into the next few years of providing a voice for the horse and the industry in Washington.”

Other business included the naming of Keith Chamblin, COO at National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), who will join the AHC Board of Trustees as the NTRA representative. Prior Chamblin served as V.P. of Marketing at Hollywood Park Racetrack from 1988-1994 and in various capacities at Remington Park before joining the NTRA in 1999.

“We look forward to Keith's contributions on the AHC Board,” said Dr. Mitchell. “He brings to the Board a wealth of experience and contacts within the Thoroughbred racing industry. His knowledge of the NTRA's legislative activities and grassroots organizing will be invaluable.”

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“Keith was here for 34 years,” said Joe Wilson, Chief Operating Officer for Parx Racing. “This was a new process for all of us. Chris is a rising star in our industry with a tremendous work ethic. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Parx family.”

Griffin added, “This is my opportunity to enter a booth that saw a legend like Keith Jones call for so many years. I am grateful to the management at Parx for this incredible opportunity. Being able to call two million-dollar races as well as several other graded races is very exciting.”

A native of Santa Monica, California, Griffin got his start as an announcer for the National Hot Rod Association. After four years of traveling the country, Chris expanded his travels internationally as the full time announcer for the Harlem Globetrotters. While at a tour stop in Little Rock, Arkansas, Griffin's talent captured the attention of veteran race caller Frank Mirahmadi, who was calling the races at Oaklawn Park. Mirahmadi mentored Griffin and helped secure him his first full time racing job at the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale in 2015. He ended up calling races at the various California fair meets, Portland Meadows, Los Alamitos and Gulfstream Park West. In the fall of 2018 Griffin was named the track announcer at Sam Houston while pulling double duty as Marketing Manager.

Parx Racing runs Monday through Wednesday first with first post at 12:55pm.

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“Keith was here for thirty-four years,” said Joe Wilson, Chief Operating Officer for Parx Racing. “This was a new process for all of us. Chris is a rising star in our industry with a tremendous work ethic. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Parx family.”

“This is my opportunity to enter a booth that saw a legend like Keith Jones call for so many years,” Griffin commented. “I am grateful to the management at Parx for this incredible opportunity. Being able to call two million dollar races as well as several other graded races is very exciting.”

A native of Santa Monica, California, Griffin got his start as an announcer for the National Hot Rod Association. After four years of traveling the country, Chris expanded his travels internationally as the full time announcer for the Harlem Globetrotters.

While at a tour stop in Little Rock, Arkansas, Griffin's talent captured the attention of veteran race caller Frank Mirahmadi, who was calling the races at Oaklawn Park. Mirahmadi mentored Griffin and helped secure him his first full time racing job at the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale in 2015. He ended up calling races at the various California fair meets, Portland Meadows, Los Alamitos and Gulfstream Park West. In the fall of 2018 Griffin was named the track announcer at Sam Houston while pulling double duty as Marketing Manager.

“I appreciated my time at Sam Houston Race Park, as well as the Northern California Fairs, and other racetracks who have treated me so well.” Griffin reflected. “However, the relocation to a new region is something I am ready for. I am very excited to move to the East Coast and become the full time announcer at Parx.”

Parx Racing runs Monday thru Wednesday first with first post at 12:55pm

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Parx Casino – Pennsylvania's number 1 casino and racetrack – offers state of the art gaming, thoroughbred racing, and exciting entertainment events. The 260,000 square foot Parx Casino and the 280,000 square foot Parx East (home to Parx Racing) are both located 20 minutes north of Philadelphia. Since Pennsylvania launched sports betting in November 2018, Parx has grown rapidly and now handles around $30 million per month with around 67 percent of that total being online (for example, the November 2020 total handle was $28.59 million, with $19.3 million online). Parx is the fifth US track to go live with products from Virtual Live Racing which is the brand created by developers Virtual Software Limited (VSL).

Joe Wilson, COO, Parx Racing, commented: “Parx Racing is happy to be participating with Virtual Software Limited in this new and groundbreaking wagering product. VSL's impeccable attention to detail in creating Parx Virtual, coupled with our race data, guarantee the customer a truly unique and exciting entertainment experience.”

Joey D Michaels, VLR's Business Development Consultant for the US, commented: “It's fantastic to see Parx live. We're continuing to expand our jurisdictional footprint and our unique product suite. The deal with Parx is the latest evidence of the huge interest we're seeing in the US and internationally. Our next goal is to put 12 products up which would enable us to run 87,600 races a year. The goal after that is to get the wagering on each race to $3,500 per race, which would generate over $306million in wagers on our products in a full year.”

In addition to Parx, VLR's suite of games are also live at Hawthorne in Chicago, plus Florida tracks Derby Lane, Tampa Bay Downs and Palm Beach Kennel Club. VLR have also partnered with the world famous Ascot Racecourse in England – when that product is launched it will signal the company's entry into the UK market.

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Jones began his career at Garden State Park before moving permanently to Philadelphia Park.

“I'll be forever grateful to the management at Greenwood for affording me an opportunity to pursue a career doing something I've thoroughly enjoyed,” said Jones.

Among an impressive list of achievements, Jones has called more than 60,000 races and 32 Pennsylvania Derbies. He was behind the mic high above the Philadelphia Park oval when a two-year-old Smarty Jones first flashed the talent that would lead to an improbable Triple Crown run in 2004.

“Smarty Jones' second career race in the Nursery Stakes was one of the greatest performances I've seen of any horse here at this race track,” Jones recalled.

Among other greats to grace the track at Parx, Jones ranks 2016 Cotillion winner Songbird and 2014 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome as two of the most noteworthy horses he's had the honor to call.

Parx Racing Chief Operating Officer, Joe Wilson has worked with Keith for over thirty years.

“The voice of Keith Jones more than any single entity is synonymous with Parx Racing,” said Wilson. “He has always called the races with a dignity and professionalism worthy of the sport. It's hard to imagine someone else calling the Pennsylvania Derby or the Cotillion or even a Tuesday afternoon claiming race.”

It is the people at Parx Jones says he will relish most as he reflects on his career.

“As much pleasure as I've gotten from calling the races, what I'll always treasure most are the relationships—the friendships—that have been so rewarding over the past 34 years. From fellow staff to the many members of our PTHA to our passionate and supportive racing fans, I've had the good fortune to cross paths with an amazing group of people. This track, this job, these people—have been my professional life for a long time and I will miss all of it.”

Jones will be relocating to Texas with his wife, Kelly. Although he will miss his Parx family, he is enthusiastic about the road ahead.

“There's also a lot of excitement and anticipation about what lies ahead and I say thank you to everyone who has shared the journey with me.”

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