Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) will have a new general manager and acting CEO as of Monday, October 27.

The following is a press release from CTL, dated October 21, which hearalded the announcement:

On behalf of the board of directors, we are very pleased to announce the appointment of one of the most experienced and respected race course executives in North America, Mr Randall 'Randy' Soth, to the post of general manager and acting chief executive officer of Caymanas Track Limited with effect from Monday, October 27, 2008.

Mr Soth until recently, was the president of Fair Grounds race course, New Orleans, Louisiana, a position he held from 2004 to 2008.

Prior to that, he was vice-president and general manager of Calder Race course in Miami, now home to many Jamaican trainers and other racing persons.

Mr Soth has been involved in every aspect of horse racing over his long and successful career, starting in 1972 as an owner and trainer of thoroughbreds in New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Employed at various tracks

Since 1978, Mr Soth has been employed in every aspect of horse racing at several tracks, including Penn National Park, Arlington Park, Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, the Meadowlands, Garden State Park, and Atlantic City race course and others where he has held positions such as director of racing, vice-president of racing and race course general manager.

Mr Soth has a BSc in chemistry from Dickinson College and did graduate studies at Pennsylvania State University. In addition, he has completed several continuing education programmes, too numerous to list.

Perfect timing

The timing of his appointment is significant because of the recent experiences of CTL, where we underwent the retirement for health reasons of our then CEO, Mr Walford Brown, and shortly thereafter lost our acting CEO and longest-serving executive, Mr Donald Tankoy, who died, thereby leaving a large gap in the management structure.

We at Caymanas Track Limited consider ourselves very fortunate to have secured the services of Mr Soth for a period that could extend up to six months, including the handover and transition to an incoming chief executive officer. Mr Soth will also examine all aspects of racing at CTL and contribute significantly to the development of our final plan and an immediate plan of action going forward.

We are confident that all persons connected to Caymanas Track Limited will join us in welcoming Randy Soth to Caymanas Park, share our enthusiasm about securing such an experienced leader in the horse-racing industry and embrace the contributions he will make during his stay with support from all parties.