NEWS
Chuckas named Maryland Jockey Club president
Posted: Thursday, May 29, 2008 5:03 PM
TOM CHUCKAS
Jim McCue/MJC photo
by Joe Nevills
The Maryland Jockey Club on Thursday named Tom Chuckas as its president and chief executive officer, replacing Chris Dragone in the position.
Chuckas, 53, spent 11 years as the CEO of Cloverleaf Entertainment, the parent company of Maryland harness track Rosecroft Raceway, before joining Magna Entertainment Corp. on May 1 as a special consultant to Chairman Frank Stronach. The Maryland Jockey Club is owned by Magna Entertainment.
“Tom brings a wealth of experience to the position,” Magna Entertainment Vice President of Racing Scott Borgemenke said. “He has solid relationships with the horsemen and knows all the major players in Annapolis.”
Chuckas’s most notable accomplishment as head of Cloverleaf Entertainment was his role in negotiating a 15-year cross-breed simulcast deal in April 2006 that included revenue sharing.
Chuckas faces immediate challenges upon taking his new position. The Maryland Jockey Club saw a $71.9-million decline in all-source handle for its 59-day winter meet. The organization’s parent company has faced troubling results as well with Magna Entertainment posting a $46.46-million loss during its first quarter.
“I look forward to the challenges we are facing with the current conditions,” Chuckas said. “We are hopeful that the slots referendum will pass in November and allow us to compete on a level playing field with our competitors in Delaware, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.”
Joe Nevills is a Thoroughbred Times editorial intern
