Louisiana Downs names VP

Harrah's Louisiana Downs has named Mark Midland vice president of racing operations, filling a position left open when longtime employee Ray Tromba stepped down in early February.

Midland was promoted from within the company, having served since August as director of marketing at Louisiana Downs. He will now be "responsible for all racetrack operations and racetrack marketing," according to a release from Louisiana Downs.

While Midland has served as vice president of marketing for Churchill Downs Inc. and in marketing departments at several other racetracks, his promotion puts him prominently into the actual racing arena for the first time. Louisiana Downs, however, has a powerful racing secretary in Pat Pope, who works during the winter for Oaklawn Park.