Murphy promoted to president

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Bill Murphy has been appointed president and general manager of Gulfstream Park, track owner Magna Entertainment Corp. announced Wednesday.

Murphy had served as vice president and general manager of racing operations at Gulfstream since July 18. He has also been vice president and general manager of the Magna-owned Thistledown in Ohio since 1997.

Murphy succeeds former Gulfstream president Paul Micucci, who will be returning to Magna's head office in Toronto where he'll assume his former position as vice president of gaming for the company. Murphy came to Gulfstream in the spring.

"I would like to wish Bill good luck in his new position," Magna chairman Frank Stronach said Wednesday. "He has worked for MEC in this industry for many years and I have every confidence he will do a great job. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Paul for all his hard work in opening the casinos at Remington Park and Gulfstream, and look forward to his ongoing contribution on our new gaming initiatives."

Gulfstream Park opened its new casino with 516 slot machines on Nov. 9 and is working on the installation of an additional 700 machines, which are expected to be operational before the end of the current meet on April 22.

Murphy said: "This is the premier winter meet in the world, which makes this appointment all the more flattering. We're off to a great start to this meet, and the reason why is the very good staff we have in place."