Barron named Hazel Park racing secretary

Mary Anne Barron has been named the racing secretary at Hazel Park Raceway in suburban Detroit for the track’s upcoming Thoroughbred meet.

Barron has held many positions in Michigan’s Thoroughbred industry, including a season as racing secretary at Great Lakes Downs during its final meet in 2007. She was part of the management team that helped open Great Lakes Downs in the late 1990s and once served as the track’s interim general manager between live meets. Her recent experience also includes time as the office manager for the Michigan Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

Barron has been an owner and trainer in the Midwest, especially Michigan, for several decades and saddled horses at Hazel Park prior to its conversion to a full-time Standardbred venue 30 years ago.

“Everybody’s pretty excited that Thoroughbred racing is coming back to Hazel Park,” Barron said. “It’s like we’ve come full circle. The last year we raced here was 1984. Now it’s 2014, and a lot of the Michigan horsemen are still going, and it’s like they’re coming home.”

Hazel Park is scheduled to host 32 live cards in 2014 for Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, and Arabians, running June 29 to Oct. 11.

Construction is underway at Hazel Park to resurface the track for flat racing. The barn area is expected to be open for horsemen by June 9, and the track is scheduled to open for training the following day.