Harness Tracks of America is proud to announce the addition of the Meadowlands Racetrack, Cal Expo Harness Racing and The Red Mile to its roster of member racing associations after approval of the application of each of the racetracks by the HTA Board of Directors.

Principals of each track will begin serving on the HTA Board and committees immediately.

“The addition of these three tracks, one in the east, one in the midwest and one in the west, provides increased strength and solidarity to the roster of HTA tracks, building on our goals of streamlining and restructuring our organization, enabling us to stand together on issues of importance and creating a united front and source of information for North American racetracks large and small,” said HTA Executive Vice President Paul Estok.

Paul Fontaine, president of HTA and of Plainridge Racecourse, added, “The innovative spirit and creative energy shown by the principals of each of these racing associations and their determined efforts to benefit harness racing are heartening. We warmly welcome the Meadowlands, Cal Expo and The Red Mile to the HTA family of tracks.”

Fontaine Re-Elected HTA President

In other news, Estok announced the results of elections for HTA officers.

“I am very pleased to announce that Paul Fontaine has been re-elected as president of HTA. His willingness to continue leading the organization as we evolve and move forward speaks to the content of his character. He continues to be an influence as one of harness racing’s movers and shakers, and his generosity with his time and keen intellect make working with him a pleasure.”

Other officers elected to two-year terms include Jim Boese, (Senior Vice President), Jason Settlemoir (Vice President), Chris McErlean (Treasurer) and Paul Estok (Secretary).

“The process of moving HTA forward, begun shortly before the death of Stan Bergstein, a true racing industry titan who led HTA for more than 50 years, is challenging but rewarding,” said Estok.

“With many racing organizations suffering through difficult times, Paul Fontaine and the HTA Board of Directors have set a course that enables tracks to work together on specific issues and on HTA’s charitable activities while at the same time providing support to individual members in areas such as information distribution and research. It’s my pleasure to work toward those goals.”

(HTA)