Waldrop chosen to head NTRA

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association's board appointed former Churchill Downs president Alex Waldrop the organization's new president and chief executive officer on Wednesday. Waldrop replaces Greg Avioli, who had held the CEO position on an interim basis. Avioli remains the interim CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited.

The NTRA board also named Turfway Park president and CEO Robert Elliston as the NTRA's executive chairman. Elliston will continue in his positions at Turfway.

Waldrop, 50, is a partner at the Kentucky-based law firm of Wyatt, Tarrant, and Combs, where he is chairman of the firm's equine, gaming, and entertainment practice group. He will take up his NTRA position on Jan. 15.

"The NTRA will succeed in moving the industry forward by concentrating on issues of paramount importance to its members: racing and wagering integrity, advocacy in Washington, and a heightened industry profile," Waldrop said in an announcement.