Garland to retire in Jersey

Bruce Garland, senior executive vice president of racing operations for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, has announced his retirement, the authority said in a press release Wednesday evening.

Garland, 55, was named general manager of Standardbred racing at The Meadowlands in December 1991, and in March 1998 assumed his current position. Last year, he helped broker an $86 million purse supplement agreement with Atlantic City casinos and played a significant role in bringing th 2007 Breeders' Cup to Monmouth Park.

Before joining the sports authority, Garland served as a deputy attorney general in the special prosecutors unit handling organized crime and political corruption cases in New Jersey.

Dennis Dowd, currently vice president of offtrack wagering, has been promoted to senior vice president of racing. Chris McErlean, now GM of The Meadowlands, will take on the title of vice president of racing operations for both The Meadowlands and Monmouth Park.