Miller gets promotion to Fair Grounds post

Austin Miller, whose background is in casino gaming, has been named president of Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans by the track's parent company, Churchill Downs Inc. Miller fills a position officially vacant since the departure in September of Randy Soth, whose background was entirely in racing.

Miller has essentially been acting as president since Soth's departure. Miller moves into his new position after serving as vice president and general manager of slots and OTB operations at Fair Grounds. Before becoming a CDI employee, Miller was vice president of gaming operations at Harrah's New Orleans casino.

Miller, who received a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota, will be joined on the Fair Grounds executive team by another Minnesotan, Eric Halstrom, who has been hired by CDI to serve as vice present and general manager of racing at Fair Grounds. A CDI release said Halstrom has more than 15 years of racetrack experience. He has worked the last nine years at Canterbury Park, where he most recently served as vice president of racing and simulcasting operations.