Hilts takes secretary job for meet

EDMONTON, Alberta - Fred Hilts has been appointed race secretary for the rest of the Thoroughbred season at Northlands Park.

Hilts succeeds Alan Bott, who resigned this spring, citing irreconcilable differences with Larry Carter, executive director of the Alberta Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

Bott will continue to serve as race secretary for the Standardbred division here.

"I have accepted the job until the end of the season, then both sides will weigh our options," said Hilts, adding that no contract has been signed.

A National Hockey League veteran of 15 seasons, Hilts turned pro with the Chicago Black Hawks and subsequently played in the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings organizations. Hilts was a jockey's agent for about a dozen years after retiring from the NHL. During that time, he was agent for such top riders as Don Seymour, Jake Barton, and Chris McGregor.

Then, in the 1990's, Hilts joined Northlands and served in a key role with the Alberta Teletheatre Network for eight years. But the lure of the backstretch became too great to ignore, and he went back as a jockey's agent with Stephan Heiler and Ron Blinston for the past three seasons.

- There will be no stakes race here Sunday, but the $40,000 Chariot Chaser, a 6 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies, will be the feature on the holiday Monday program. Wednesday will be dark, with racing resuming Friday. Entries for Saturday's card will be taken Monday.