Fagliarone Named Freehold Racing Secretary

Published: October 15, 2008 09:00 am EDT

Karen Fagliarone of Freehold, New Jersey has been named racing secretary at Freehold Raceway, effective October 28, 2008.

Fagliarone, 47, becomes one of only a small handful of women to occupy the racing secretary position at a North American racetrack.

A member of the racing staff at Freehold for nearly two decades, Fagliarone replaces Peter J. Koch who has accepted the director of racing/racing secretary position at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

"Karen is extremely well-qualified, and we know she will do a terrific job as racing secretary," said Freehold president and general manager Donald R. Codey. "We also wish Pete the best as he moves on to harness racing's largest stage, the Meadowlands."

Koch's final day at Freehold is October 25.

Fagliarone, who earned her associates degree in journalism from Mercer County College, grew up in a harness racing family. Her late father, Jim McGovern, drove and trained horses until his death in 1982.

When she married Michael Fagliarone in 1990, he, too, was a driver-trainer but moved into the role of trackman a dozen years ago. He currently is track superintendent at Freehold Raceway.

"I've worked at Freehold since 1979," Karen Fagliarone recalled. "I started in the Racing Commission Office when I was 17, then moved to publicity and then the race office when Frank Ferrone was racing secretary. When Peter [Koch] came here eight years ago, I became his assistant.

"Peter is a tough act to follow," she said. "He's a really good friend. He's compassionate and funny. A lot of what he has been doing will stay the same. But I'm also open to ideas and invite horsemen to talk to me."

When Koch decided to accept the Meadowlands position, he supported Fagliarone as his replacement at Freehold.

"He encouraged me, and said he's only a phone call away," she noted. "He's been such an excellent mentor."

Fagliarone has worn many hats as Koch's assistant, including program director, morning line maker, payroll person and subbing for him when he was away. With her promotion, veteran chart caller Peter 'PJ' Iovino will become assistant racing secretary.

(With files from Freehold)

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