The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that John Passero has resigned as Director of Racing Surfaces, effective September 1st at the conclusion of the Saratoga Race Course meeting.

Passero has served in the position, where he is responsible for 11 racing surfaces at Saratoga, Belmont Park, and Aqueduct Race Track, since January 2005. Prior to that he was Senior Vice President, Racing Surfaces, for the Maryland Jockey Club

NYRA also announced that Glen Kozak will assume the post of Director of Racing Surfaces on September 5th at the start of the Belmont Park Fall Championship Meeting.

Kozak began his racing career in 1991 as Property Manager at Suffolk Downs where he participated in the racetrack’s re-opening. He then joined the Maryland Jockey Club in 2004 as General Superintendent and was intricately involved in the multi-million dollar track rebuild project at Laurel Park, which entailed widening the main track and installing a newly designed turf course. He currently oversees all aspects of the backside, facility maintenance, and racing surfaces at Laurel, Pimlico, and Bowie Training Center as Vice President of Facilities and Racing Surfaces.

“John Passero has managed and supervised five turf courses, four dirt tracks, and two training tracks at NYRA’s three locations, which is an incredibly complex and demanding job,” said NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward. “He has always handled it admirably and with distinction and the proof is that NYRA’s racing surfaces are the best maintained and most honest in the country.”

Kozak has a strong reputation throughout the industry.

“Glen Kozak comes to NYRA very highly recommended from our colleagues in New England and Maryland, with a great work ethic and terrific communication skills,” said Hal Handel, NYRA Executive Vice President and COO. “Glen has also been responsible for the construction of new racing surfaces, so we are additionally fortunate to have him join us.”

Added Passero: “Effective at the end of the Saratoga meet, I will be resigning my position as Director of Racing Surfaces at NYRA to pursue other opportunities. It has been a gratifying experience working with Charlie Hayward and [NYRA vice president and director of racing] P.J. Campo.”