Woodbine names Evans racing VP

Chris Evans, currently director of racing for the Woodbine Entertainment Group, has been appointed Woodbine's vice president of Thoroughbred racing.

The appointment was one of several organizational changes the track announced Wednesday. All take effect Jan. 1.

Evans will replace John Whitson, who is retiring. Evans was Woodbine's racing secretary from 1989 until being named director of racing last year.

Evans serves on the World Racehorse Ratings (formerly International Classifications) Committee, the North American Ratings Committee, the Breeders' Cup Selection Committee, and the Canadian Graded Stakes Committee.

Tom Cosgrove, currently director of backstretch operations, takes over as director of racing.

Cosgrove was Woodbine's chief clocker and a placing judge from 1986 through 1988 and then was the assistant racing secretary from 1989 through 1997.

After a three-year stint as Fort Erie's director of racing, Cosgrove returned to Woodbine as director of horsemen's relations before assuming his current role in 2003.

Also, Sheryl McSwain was promoted to assistant racing secretary. McSwain has worked in the Woodbine racing office for 21 years.