Liz Bracken, former NYRA director of simulcasting, dies at 52

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Liz Bracken, a former director of simulcasting for the New York Racing Association and a racetrack official at several other tracks, died Sunday at Hope Hospice & Palliative Care in Providence, R.I. She was 52.

Bracken was a graduate of the University of Arizona Race Track Industry program in Tucson. After leaving NYRA in 2013, she returned to the University of Arizona to become associate coordinator and instructor for the Race Track Industry Program until earlier this year.

Bracken also worked as a racing official in various capacities at Fair Grounds, Hialeah Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Suffolk Downs, and Rockingham Park.

Bracken was the daughter of Betty [O’Neill] Bracken and the late Mark Bracken. She is survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A funeral was held Wednesday in Warwick, R.I. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.

◗ P.J. Campo, a former racing secretary at the New York Racing Association and, more recently, an executive with The Stronach Group from 2013 until this spring, is now working as a jockey agent, booking mounts for Eric Cancel.

With 43 victories, Cancel was the sixth-leading rider at the 2018-19 Aqueduct winter meet. Cancel, previously represented by Ruben Munoz, was 4 for 57 through the first 17 days of the Aqueduct fall meet before winning Wednesday’s fourth race with No More Miracles.