Rob Pennington, an award-winning caretaker and activist for Standardbred causes, has been named assistant racing secretary and program director for Freehold Raceway, effective August 2014.
The Freehold meet begins on Thursday, August 28.
Pennington, a 34-year-old Ohio native that currently lives in Allentown, NJ, was honoured as the Harness Tracks of America Caretaker of the Year in 2013 and has been a groom for the Noel Daley Stable since 2009.
“I am very excited (about this new challenge),” said Pennington. “I wanted to stay in the standardbred business yet put myself out there in a position where I could better myself and the business. I am extremely passionate about the standardbred industry as well as the breed.”
Pennington is on the board of directors of the Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization (SPHO) and has volunteered his services to the Open Space Pace Committee, the Riding Under Saddle program and the Standardbred Retirement Foundation.
“I've worked with Rob on several committees, and I know how passionate he is about the industry,” said Karen Fagliarone, Freehold’s director of racing and racing secretary. “Although he has never had any race office experience, he is a quick learner. Aside from assisting in the race office in the mornings, he will be the attendant in the winner’s circle and will expand our social media sites in the afternoons.”
Peter J. Iovino, the former assistant racing secretary at Freehold, accepted a position as racing secretary for Saratoga Harness.
(Freehold)