Stakes Coordinator

Job Overview

Work with the Racing Secretary, Assistant Racing Secretary, and Vice President of Racing to plan and execute the Stakes Schedule. Primary focus is to attract large field sizes for all races on the Gulfstream Park stakes program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the creation, implementation, and day-to-day operations associated with the Gulfstream Park stakes program.
• Communicate with appropriate parties to gauge interest and availability of horses to participate in the Gulfstream Park stakes program, recruiting the best horses available for our races.
• Assist in the arrangement of racing schedules and placement of stakes races throughout the racing calendar.
• Assign weights to horses in Handicap races, using past performance data to create competitive races between horses of similar ability and experience.
• Maintain records for stakes races run throughout North America to identify horses that may be recruited to compete in Gulfstream Park stakes races
• Retain a clear line of communication with the Marketing and Media departments to ensure proper planning of press releases, stories, promotions, etc. in relation to upcoming stakes races.
• Work with the Horsemen’s Bookkeeper to ensure proper purse distribution for all races in the Gulfstream Park stakes program.
• Proofread racing information that may be published in various mediums including, but not limited to, the stakes schedule, the overnight, Daily Racing Program, etc.
• Keep official records regarding race results at Gulfstream Park.
• Communicate the rules of the condition book to horse trainers/owners when necessary.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with regulatory agencies, racing industry leaders, community leaders, and all others that may serve as strategic partners.
• Perform all the daily duties of a Racing Official, with the ability to act as Placing Judge, Claims Clerk, Paddock Judge, etc. if necessary.
• Maintain a safe working environment.
• All other duties as assigned by the Racing Secretary or Vice President of Racing.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of racing industry experience
• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field preferred but not required.
• Strong leadership skills and customer service orientation required.
• Must be able to work effectively with peers, staff members, and regulatory agency personnel.
• Strong computer skills to include effective working knowledge of Microsoft Office Products.
• Strong written and oral communication skills required; Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• An agreement to work non-traditional days as necessitated by the demands of the position.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to risks associated with travel between buildings and back and forth to other areas as may be required due to business demands. The employee may be exposed to the risks associated in attempting to resolve issues with extremely irate or difficult guests or staff members. The noise level in the work environment varies from light to moderate.

Licenses, Certifications, Registration: Requires a State of Florida Professional PMW License.