Ruidoso president and general manager to resign after meet

Ann McGovern said on Tuesday that she will resign as president and general manager of Ruidoso Downs when the meet ends next month in order to spend more time with her family. Jean Stoddard, the track’s assistant general manager since 2004, will serve as the general manager of Ruidoso following the close of the meet Sept. 6.

McGovern, 49, said she would be available to Ruidoso’s owners, R.D. Hubbard and Bruce Rimbo, as long as needed to make the transition. She joined the track as its president and general manager in February 2008.

“I’ve been in racing for 27 years, it’s an all-encompassing business, and it’s just time now, with the season ending, to make this change,” McGovern said. “R.D. Hubbard and Bruce Rimbo have been great people to work with. I really enjoyed my time here. It’s really been a good experience.”

McGovern, who is married with two children, came to Ruidoso from Sam Houston Race Park. She spent 13 years as the vice president of operations for the Texas track. McGovern also spent 10 years with DeBartolo Racing, first as an intern at Louisiana Downs. She would work her way up to director of operations for Remington Park.

McGovern is a graduate of the Arizona Racetrack Management program, and began her affiliation with racing in high school when she worked as a groom and exercise rider in New Jersey. The American Quarter Horse Association recognized her for her contributions to racing with the Millie Vessels Award in 2008.