Golden Gate Fields: Patrick Mackey named racing secretary

Patrick Mackey, who has served as assistant racing secretary for the New York Racing Association, Arlington Park, Hawthorne Race Course and Gulfstream Park, was named the racing secretary at Golden Gate Fields on Friday.

Mackey, 36, will replace David Jerkens, who recently accepted the position of racing secretary at Del Mar. Mackey will begin work at Golden Gate on March 27 and have a chance to work with Jerkens for six weeks.

“Having six weeks to work with David will be invaluable,” Mackey said in a phone interview. “I’m going to a place where I don’t know anybody and have no relationships with any trainers. I’ll have six weeks to take it all in.

Mackey calls himself a “racetrack brat.” His grandfather Oscar Mackey was a trainer, starter and steward. His father, Michael, was general manager at several tracks, including Thistledown, Hialeah, Tampa Bay Downs and Detroit Race Course.

“We are very happy to introduce Patrick Mackey as the new racing secretary at Golden Gate Fields,” said Tom Ludt, senior vice president of racing and gaming for The Stronach Group, which owns Golden Gate Fields. “Patrick’s in-depth knowledge, experience and passion for the industry will prove extremely beneficial to Golden Gate going forward.”