Bork taking on new duties at Sam Houston

Bob Bork, who has served as Sam Houston Race Park 's senior vice president and general manager since 1995, has been promoted to vice chairman and will focus on legislative efforts rather than the day-to-day operation of the track. Bork also will be spearheading a drive to bring the Breeders' Cup to the track in 2009 or 2010, and will be in charge of the development of a new Class 2 race track in Laredo, Texas.

"I have been spending a great deal of time on legislation for [video lottery terminals] at licensed tracks in Texas," he said. "That is an important goal for us, and I will lead a team to aggressively pursue the opportunity to host the Breeders Cup at Sam Houston Race Park."

Sam Houston will be adding two new members to its management team. Shawn Hurwitz, vice chairman of the board of Maxxam Inc., the parent company of Sam Houston, has been named president and chief executive officer of the track. He is the son of Maxxam chairman Charles Hurwitz.

Andrea Bouchey Young, 28, has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer of Sam Houston. She was the president and chief operating officer of the Houston Comets, the Womens National Basketball Association franchise, in 2006.

The appointments are effective Thursday.