Calder names new secretary

Calder Race Course has named Michael Anifantis as its new racing secretary, replacing Bob Umphrey, who died suddenly on Jan. 2. The announcement was made jointly on Friday morning by Ken Dunn, president of Calder, and Donald Richardson, the senior vice president of racing at Churchill Downs Inc., the owner of Calder.

Anifantis, 53, the son of former jockey Sterling Anifantis, has served as assistant general manager at Calder since 2001. A New Orleans native, he had been assistant racing secretary at Gulfstream Park from 2001 to 2004, director of racing at SunRay Park in New Mexico from 1999 to 2001, and director of racing and racing secretary at Remington Park in Oklahoma from 1988 to 1999. He also served as a Florida state steward at Tampa Bay Downs in 1987.

The 2006 Calder meet opens on April 25.