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  #1  
Old 05-08-2009, 05:05 PM
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Kasept Kasept is offline
Steve Byk
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Greenwich, NY
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Default Rushton leaving NYRA

AFTER 19 YEARS, JAN RUSHTON LEAVES NYRA

ELMONT, N.Y.-- Jan Rushton, the New York Racing Association’s paddock analyst and popular television host, has resigned her position. Rushton has been away since the end of January to tend to her family in South Carolina. Earlier this year, her brother, Doug, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“I would like to thank all the fans, horsemen and fellow NYRA workers for all the support through my years in racing but I have to resign my position to be caretaker for my brother, who has a serious illness,” said Rushton, who began working for NYRA in May, 1995. “This has been a hard decision, but I feel that family must come first. I will miss all of you and thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.”

A native of Easley, South Carolina, Rushton was an accomplished rider of hunters and jumpers as a child, and majored in animal science at Clemson University. Upon graduation, she began working at the training center at Camden, S.C. and eventually came to New York in 1981. Rushton went to work for future Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, and was exercise rider for champions Heavenly Prize, Queena, Rhythm and, occasionally, Easy Goer and Inside Information. She also found her way at one time or another aboard Lure, My Flag, Preach and Versailles Treaty.

Rushton also worked as a chart taker for the Daily Racing Form’s New York track man Jack Kelly and later worked for NYRA’s Communications Department. A chance meeting with the producers of the now defunct Florida-based television magazine “Post Time” led to a job as researcher in 1991-’92. She was hired as a NYRA production assistant in 1995, and by the time she arrived on the scene, she was offered the job as commentator.

“It is sad that we have to lose Jan under these unfortunate circumstances,” said NYRA President and Chief Executive Officer Charles E. Hayward. “Her knowledge and experience were invaluable to us, and she helped make a lot of friends for NYRA. She will be missed by our fans and by her NYRA family, but we understand her responsibilities to her own family.”
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  #2  
Old 05-08-2009, 05:25 PM
freddymo freddymo is offline
Belmont Park
 
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The hats are on Ebay as we speak.... On a serious note anybody who does one thing for 19 years certainly should be extremely proud of a career well done! In a very big way Jan was Racing in NY!!!
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  #3  
Old 05-08-2009, 05:31 PM
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DaTruth DaTruth is offline
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I only knew her from her segments on Inside Racing. I never realized that she had such an extensive background with horses.
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  #4  
Old 05-08-2009, 05:37 PM
mclem0822 mclem0822 is offline
Del Mar
 
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Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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Default Wow....

Jan Ruston, as well as her hats are an institution on the circuit, that will be strange not to see her. I wish her nothing but the best with her family situation.
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  #5  
Old 05-08-2009, 05:46 PM
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Left Bank Left Bank is offline
Fairgrounds
 
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Hope they get another chick as hot as her!
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  #6  
Old 05-08-2009, 06:10 PM
santana santana is offline
Ellis Park
 
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I certainly will miss her. A pretty face to brighten up the show. I wish her the best!
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  #7  
Old 05-08-2009, 06:32 PM
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zippyneedsawin zippyneedsawin is offline
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I wish her the best.
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  #8  
Old 05-08-2009, 06:48 PM
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KirisClown KirisClown is offline
Stuck in 1994
 
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That's a shame about her brother.. I'll miss seeing her on the show..

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  #9  
Old 05-08-2009, 06:56 PM
Coach Pants
 
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Just thinking about her reminds me of the scene from I'm Gonna Git You Sucka where Jack and crew are in Mr. Big's Big Brim Bar.

She will be missed by me.
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  #10  
Old 05-08-2009, 07:47 PM
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Sightseek Sightseek is offline
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She had one of the best jobs on the planet!

It's too bad she had to leave under those circumstances.
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  #11  
Old 05-10-2009, 07:16 AM
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hoovesupsideyourhead hoovesupsideyourhead is offline
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andy and eric will wear the hats..
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  #12  
Old 05-10-2009, 08:22 AM
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Hickory Hill Hoff Hickory Hill Hoff is offline
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Location: the "Sand Flats"
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Did Jan have one of these?

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  #13  
Old 05-10-2009, 08:53 AM
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CSC CSC is offline
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Sorry to see her go, I wonder why the family cannot hire a personal support worker. Nevertheless really good on her to take care of her family first.
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