Officials with Batavia Downs have announced that Ralph Horton has been named the raceway’s new track superintendent, replacing Fran Mruczek, who retired from the position at the end of the 2013 meeting.

Horton has been a regular at Batavia since the late 1960s when he started out as an owner-driver.

In 1986, Horton left the sulky to work full time for Genesee Monroe Racing as a member of the track crew. When Western OTB purchased the racetrack in 1998, Horton was retained and has had track maintenance responsibilities ever since. Horton will take over the top spot immediately.

After learning of the promotion, Horton said, “I’m excited about the new position and I want to thank everyone involved for the opportunity.”

Batavia’s half-mile oval has long been known as one of the finest in the U.S. Its wide banked turns continually produce fast miles while keeping horses sound in the process.

“Horsemen rave about our racing surface and I’m confident Ralph’s many years of experience working at Batavia Downs will bode well for us as he moves into his new position,” commented Todd Haight, the track’s director and GM of live racing.

The 2014 racing season at America’s oldest lighted harness track will get underway on July 23 with a new first-race post time of 6:35 p.m.

(Batavia Downs)