Yavapai hires two top executives

Bill Murphy has been hired as executive director and Mike Mullaney as general manager of Yavapai Downs in Arizona, according to a release from the track. Yavapai opens May 28 and runs through Sept. 6.

Murphy, who has been general manager at both Gulfstream Park and Thistledown, is president of the Cleveland-based consultancy Continuing Improvement Solutions, which specializes in racetrack management.

Mullaney worked with Murphy at Gulfstream Park as media relations director, and formerly was the national features editor at Daily Racing Form .