Fair Grounds promotes Withers to general manager of racing

Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans has named Howard Withers its general manager of racing. Withers replaced Eric Halstrom, who unexpectedly resigned from a similar position earlier this month.

Withers, a 40-year industry veteran formerly employed by AmTote International and as an assistant general manager at Thistledown Racetrack in Ohio, was promoted from within the Fair Grounds management hierarchy. Until his appointment as general manager of racing, Withers served the as manager for the 11 off-track betting parlors Fair Grounds operates.

Fair Grounds’s 2013-2014 racing season begins with a night-racing program on Nov. 22.