Bill Couch, singled out for high praise by many of the nation’s leading horsemen for his efforts during the 2008 Gulfstream Park meeting, has resigned that post, citing the combination of performing a high-pressure job far from home.

The Ohio native first came to Gulfstream in 2007, serving as Gulfstream Park’s Palm Meadows liaison. Later that year he was elevated to the post of Racing Secretary, overseeing the 2008 meet, which will be best remembered for providing a stage for superstar Big Brown and for its accent on local horsemen.

“I very much enjoyed the last two winters at Gulfstream Park,” Mr. Couch said from Thistledown, in Cleveland, Ohio, where he currently serves as Racing Secretary. “It was a thrill to meet the people I did and to enjoy the experiences I had, but I’m a family man.”

Bill Murphy, President and General Manager of Gulfstream Park, said, “Bill has served with distinction in several racing posts throughout his career. Bill has much to offer and we hope we can come to an arrangement whereby we can once again use his talents, in whichever form that may take.”

Mr. Murphy said he expects a replacement for Mr. Couch to be named by mid August.