On Wednesday, April 24, officials with Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway announced the track’s new director of racing.

Ohio native Jason Bluhm has been announced as Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway’s new director of racing. He will start April 29, 2019, pending customary regulatory approvals.

Bluhm has been the senior regional director of racing for Tioga and Vernon Downs since 2006, as he led multiple departments at both New York State harness facilities. Bluhm’s responsibilities have included race secretary, program director, charter and stall superintendent, as well as track superintendent while also overseeing the day to day operations at Tioga Downs in the simulcast and marketing areas.

Drivers pictured surveying the competition behind the starting gate at Hollywood Dayton Raceway.

“Myself and my family are excited to come back home to Ohio and I’m looking forward to being part of the Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway team,” Bluhm said. “In less than five years, Dayton Raceway has made a positive impact in the local marketplace and its racing product and facilities are setting the standard in the state.”

“We are excited to bring Jason into the Penn National Gaming racing team. He has experience in so many different facets of the business and will be sure to make an immediate contribution,” said Christopher McErlean, vice president of racing for Penn National Gaming, Inc., which is the parent company of Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway. Bluhm will oversee all racing operations, including the race office, track and mutuels areas at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway.

Prior to joining Tioga and Vernon Downs, Bluhm worked for the United States Trotting Association and was also the owner and groom for a small harness racing stable in Indiana. He is a native of Plain City, OH.

Mark Loewe, who oversaw the Hollywood Dayton racing construction and has led the racing operation for the past five racing seasons, will shift his focus to managing the racing operations of Penn National Gaming’s Meadows Racetrack and Casino and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.

(With files from Penn National Gaming)