Chris Kotulak named COO of Fonner

Chris Kotulak has been named chief operating officer of Fonner Park, the Grand Island, Neb., track announced. Fonner races from February to May. Kotulak joins Fonner from Remington Park in Oklahoma City, where he has served as television analyst and a marketing and communications assistant since 2011.

Kotulak started his career at Fonner, where he called his first race as a track announcer on Feb. 20, 1986, according to a press release. Kotulak spent 11 years working the Nebraska circuit in various roles, and later was the track announcer at Louisiana Downs, Hollywood Park, and Delta Downs. He is due to arrive at Fonner on July 1.

◗ Bee Jersey on Saturday became the second straight horse to win both the Steve Sexton Mile at Lone Star Park and the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park in consecutive starts. Mor Spirit pulled the double in 2017.

◗ Trainer Rodolfo Valles, 24, registered the first two stakes wins of his career in a pair of Grade 1 races for Quarter Horses last weekend at Ruidoso Downs, one worth $1 million.

◗ The two races trainer Danny Pish won Tuesday at Louisiana Downs both came in dead heats. He won the third with Okbyecya ($3.40) and the sixth with And She Scores ($2.10).