Wilmington, Del. – Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission Chairman, W. Duncan Patterson announced at the Commission meeting today that two candidates had been selected for the position of Associate State Steward and Safety Steward.

Tony Langford, a level 1 Steward and racing official with a national racing background having worked in Florida and Texas was the logical choice for the Delaware Commission. Chairman Patterson remarked that his racing background, experience and interview were well received. The Safety Steward position was awarded to Eric Coatrieux, a former trainer and current Racing Official in Maryland.

John F. Wayne, the DTRC Executive Director advised that, “Mr. Langford‘s resume displays a broad spectrum of positions he has held, with his latest being a Level 1 Steward for the Texas Racing Commission.” Chairman Patterson advised that Mr. Langford will be a good fit to work alongside Chief State Steward, Fritz L. Burkhardt and Cynthia L. Smith.

The Safety Steward position was awarded to Eric Coatrieux, a former trainer and current racing official on the Maryland circuit. According to Chairman Patterson, “Mr. Coatrieux brings to the table a trainer’s perspective and should do well in this new role.”

Both of these individuals possess a deep respect for the racing industry and its goal toward fairness and maintaining the high level of regulatory oversight that the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission expects and deserves.

The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission regulates and oversees the sport of Thoroughbred and Arabian racing in the state. For more information regarding the work of the Commission, visit https://agriculture.delaware.gov/thoroughbred-racing-commission/.

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, (302) 698-4542, Stacey.Hofmann@delaware.gov

WILMINGTON, Del. – Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission (DTRC) Chairman W. Duncan Patterson announced at the Commission meeting on March 8, 2018, that two candidates had been selected for the positions of Associate State Steward and Safety Steward.

Cynthia L. Smith, a Level II Steward and racing official was selected for Associate State Steward. Ms. Smith who has a national racing background, having worked in California, Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, was the logical choice for the Delaware Commission. Chairman Patterson remarked that her racing background, experience and her interview which was outstanding was the reason for her selection.

John F. Wayne, the DTRC Executive Director advised that Ms. Smith served on a distinguished panel of Stewards at the 2017 Racing Officials Accreditation Program continuing education class at Delaware Park and was familiar with her work ethic, having worked with her during time spent with the American Quarter Horse Association Enforcement Team in New Mexico and Texas.

The Safety Steward position was awarded to Robert E. Colton, a former jockey and an accredited official who has been ever present at the Delaware circuit and is aware of safety matters.

“As for Mr. Colton, he is a man of integrity that I have known since 1980,” said DTRC Executive Director John F. Wayne. “He knows safety concerns and was a member of the Delaware Safety Committee. He has done an outstanding job as the Director of the Delaware Jockey’s Association and handling health insurance needs for the riders. Mr. Colton brings a knowledge and perspective from the saddle having been a professional jockey for many years.”

“Both of these individuals have a deep respect for the racing industry and the people involved in racing,” said DTRC Executive Director John F. Wayne. “They will fit in well, maintaining the high level of regulatory oversight that the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission expects and deserves.”

The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission regulates and oversees the sport of Thoroughbred and Arabian racing in the state. For more information regarding the work of the Commission, visit https://agriculture.delaware.gov/thoroughbred-racing-commission/.

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, (302) 698-4542, Stacey.Hofmann@delaware.gov

WILMINGTON, Del. — Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission Chairman, W. Duncan Patterson announced today that the Commission has promoted James A. Lages to the position of Chief State Steward. Mr. Lages who has worked for the Delaware Commission for the past two years fills the void left when long time Chief Steward, G. Jack Houghton Jr., retired at the end of the 2017 live racing season.

“Mr. Lages has earned the respect of the Commission and his co-workers during his time in Delaware,” stated Chairman Patterson. “His experience as a racing official and former participation as a jockey gives him a field level perspective of the industry that will be beneficial to the Commission.”

Lages has served as a State Steward in New Jersey, Florida, Illinois and Minnesota. He has also been a racing official in Kentucky.

John F. Wayne, the DTRC Executive Director advised that Mr. Lages has done a very good job since coming aboard from Canterbury Park where he was highly respected by his fellow racing regulators. His work ethic and professionalism is what the Delaware Commission deserves and expects, and Mr. Lages fits that criteria.

The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission regulates and oversees the sport of Thoroughbred and Arabian racing in the state. For more information regarding the work of the Commission, visit https://dda.delaware.gov/thoroughbred.

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Media Contact: Contact: Stacey Hofmann, (302) 698-4542, Stacey.Hofmann@delaware.gov