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Racing Exec Robert Bork Passes Away

Racing executive and former Sam Houston President Robert Bork passed away peacefully at his home in Houston June 11 at the age of 83.

“I lost count very early in my career about how many times I was asked if I was Bob Bork's son,” said Dan Bork, who serves as assistant racing secretary/stakes coordinator at Churchill Downs and racing secretary at Ellis Park. “My dad was known as an industry leader and greatly admired by so many accomplished horsemen and racing executives. It was way more than a job for him; he truly loved the sport of horseracing.”

Bork began his career in racing as a controller at Philadelphia Park. He became vice president and general manager of that venue and general manager of Garden State Park in New Jersey. He followed that as vice president, general manager and chief operating officer of Arlington International. Bork was hired as Sam Houston's senior vice president and general manager and was later promoted to president. He also served as director and secretary of the Thoroughbred Racing Association and chaired its 2020 Technology Committee.

“Bob Bork set a tremendous foundation for the growth of Sam Houston Race Park when he was hired in 1995,” said Dwight Berube, Sam Houston's vice president and general manager. “Throughout his 12-year tenure, he was admired by horsemen, horseplayers and employees and initiated many programs that have been emulated by racetracks across the country.”

Bork is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judith Bork; children Dina Ruggerio, Dan Bork and Michael Bork and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Bork, Jr; brother William Bork and sisters Janet and Karen. Funeral arrangements are pending and a Celebration of Life honoring Bork will be held at Sam Houston Race Park in the near future.

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Longtime Racing Executive Robert Bork Passes At Age 83

Robert Bork, who made a tremendous impact on the racing industry for over four decades, passed away peacefully at his home in Houston on June 11, at the age of 83.

Bork attended La Salle University in Philadelphia and after graduating, worked as an agent with the Internal Revenue Service. When Thoroughbred racing was legalized in Pennsylvania in 1969, he was hired by the Rooney Family and served as a controller at Philadelphia Park. He became vice president and general manager of Philadelphia Park and general manager of Garden State Park in New Jersey. He followed that as vice president, general manager and chief operating officer of Arlington International in Chicago.

Sam Houston Race Park opened as the first Class 1 racetrack in Texas in 1994. The following year, Bork was hired as its senior vice president and general manager. Under Bork's leadership, the northwest Houston racetrack came into prominence as one of the premier evening tracks in the country. Promoted to president of Sam Houston Race Park in August, 2002, he also held the position as senior vice president and general manager of (greyhound racing) Valley Race Park in Harlingen, Texas.

Supporting national initiatives for the racing industry was also a priority for Bork, who served as director and secretary of the Thoroughbred Racing Association (TRA) and chaired its 2020 Technology Committee.

Bork was intrigued by the challenge of developing a racetrack in a new market after working at previously established properties.

“It is an interesting balancing act when you run a racetrack,” he explained. “You want to take care of your fans, because without their support, your business cannot grow. You also have to work closely with the horsemen and try to meet their needs and communicate with them on an ongoing basis. Finally, you have to have a good management team behind you, and we have a solid, dedicated group of professionals working at Sam Houston Race Park.”

Dan Bork, who serves as assistant racing secretary/stakes coordinator at Churchill Downs and racing secretary at Ellis Park, speaks proudly of his father's accomplishments in the racing industry.

“I lost count very early in my career about how many times I was asked if I was Bob Bork's son,” he said. “My dad was known as an industry leader and greatly admired by so many accomplished horsemen and racing executives. It was way more than a job for him; he truly loved the sport of horseracing.”

Dwight Berube, who worked for Bork throughout his Sam Houston Race Park tenure, is now the racetrack's vice president and general manager.

“Bob Bork set a tremendous foundation for the growth of Sam Houston Race Park when he was hired in 1995,” said Berube. “Throughout his 12-year tenure, he was admired by horsemen, horseplayers and employees and initiated many programs that have been emulated by racetracks across the country.”

Bork is survived by his wife of 58 years, Judith Bork; children Dina Ruggerio, Dan Bork and Michael Bork and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Bork Jr; brother William Bork and sisters Janet and Karen.

The family wanted to extend their sincere appreciation to the physicians and healthcare team at M. D. Anderson for their exceptional care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center or the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

Funeral arrangements are pending and a Celebration of Life honoring Bork will be held at Sam Houston Race Park in the near future.

The post Longtime Racing Executive Robert Bork Passes At Age 83 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Racing Executive Brant Latta Passes Away

Joseph Brant Latta, age 60, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away Mar. 15. After earning his accounting degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Brant went on to study racetrack management at The University of Arizona. He worked at Longacres and when that closed Brant became the general manager at Yakima Meadows for two years.

Brant went on to manage Turf Paradise and later became the general manager of Santa Anita Park. In the last part of his racing career, he acted as chief operating officer for Magna Entertainment and worked closely with Magna's numerous tracks around the country. In 2008, he retired from the racing industry and opened an insurance agency that he owned until his passing.

Brant is survived by his wife Heather Latta; his daughter, Claire Rose Latta; his son, Brayden Latta; and many siblings. A funeral mass will be celebrated Mar. 20 at 11:00am at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Barling, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1301 Frank Street, Barling, AR, 72923 or The American Stroke Association at www.stroke.org.

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Keeneland Vice President Bob Elliston Resigns, Effective At The End Of December

Employed at Keeneland since 2016, vice president Bob Elliston will resign from his position at the end of this calendar year, reports bloodhorse.com. The longtime racing executive said he is making the change to pursue a new “next chapter,” although he declined to name specifics.

“The wonderful experiences that I have had really create multiple avenues for continuing this fortunate journey that I have been a part of,” Elliston told the Blood-Horse.

Elliston was previously employed as the executive vice president and chief operations officer of Breeders' Cup Ltd. from 2012-2016, and as the president of Turfway Park from 1999-2012.