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#1
11-28-2007, 04:44 PM
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Lou Raffetto Leaving MD J.C.
MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF LOU RAFFETTO
BALTIMORE, 11-28-07---The Maryland Jockey Club ("MJC") announced today that Lou Raffetto, President and Chief Operating Officer of MJC, will be leaving MJC effective immediately to pursue other opportunities. Chris Dragone, a former Senior Vice-President and General Manager at MJC, has been appointed as President and General Manager. MJC is the trade name under which Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park operate. Frank Stronach, Chairman of MJC, stated, “Lou worked very hard during his tenure with MJC to manage the day-to-day operations and improve the future of thoroughbred racing in the state of Maryland. We wish him well in his future endeavors.” Raffetto stated, “I wish my colleagues at MJC well going forward and hope that the company will be successful in implementing its long-term plans.” Dragone joined Magna Entertainment Corp. (“MEC”) in 2002 and served as General Manager of Great Lakes Downs and Portland Meadows prior to his appointment with MJC in February 2006. Dragone left MJC after eight months for personal and family reasons and since that time has acted as executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders' Inc. The son of former New York Racing Association Chairman Allan Dragone, Chris Dragone has held numerous management jobs at race tracks across the country. The Dragone family owns December Hill Farm in New Jersey. Stronach stated, “MEC remains strongly committed to the future success of thoroughbred racing in Maryland. To this end we will put the full support of MEC behind Chris and the MJC management team.” Dragone added, “I look forward to working towards improving the racing and entertainment experience for Maryland horsemen and our customers. Working with the other key stakeholders I hope to build upon the platform established by Lou Raffetto and the De Francis family.”
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All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind. ~ Joseph Conrad A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ~ Thomas Paine Don't let anyone tell you that your dreams can't come true. They are only afraid that theirs won't and yours will. ~ Robert Evans The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command. ~ George Orwell, 1984. 
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#2
11-28-2007, 04:51 PM
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Huge loss for Maryland. Best of luck to Lou...
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#3
11-28-2007, 06:12 PM
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Who fires people on a Wednesday afternoon?
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"Have the clean racing people run any ads explaining that giving a horse a Starbucks and a chocolate poppyseed muffin for breakfast would likely result in a ten year suspension for the trainer?" - Dr. Andrew Roberts
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#5
11-29-2007, 10:07 AM
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Hate to see anyone lose their job but I never cared for Raffetto's "Suffolk South" transformation of the MD condition book. I also never cared for the way he snuggled up to Robert Cole whenever he got a chance.
I thought MJC was fairly happy with Raffetto's performance considering what he now has to work with. Then again, maybe that on-air interview with Steve a few weeks ago did him in.... 
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#6
11-29-2007, 10:52 PM
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I know quite a few horseman had less than nice things to say about Rafetto and his policies/treatment of them. That was enough for me to not like him. Without the horseman there is no show.
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