Jackson Harness Raceway president and general manager Dan Rakieten told harnessracing.com Tuesday morning that he has resigned his positions effective immediately, ending a family association at the track that began with its founding in 1948 by his grandfather, Leon Slavin. In 2004, Jackson Raceway was purchased by Mountaineer Gaming Group (MTR Gaming), with Rakieten and his family retaining a 10-percent interest.
Rakieten said he did not want to discuss details of his resignation. He was first named general manager in 1995, later also becoming president. Upon his grandfather's death in 1974, Rakieten's mother, Nan, ran the track for many years before moving to Hawaii and turning the reins over to Dan.
According to published reports, the track currently remains open for simulcasting. Jackson was also recently awarded 26 live racing dates for 2009, spanning May 2 through July 18.
Michigan Harness Horseman's Association president Brett Boyd, who also serves as Jackson's race announcer, told the Jackson Citizen Patriot newspaper that, "We're hoping that we can continue the tradition, and we're hoping that Dan and (MTR Gaming) can settle their differences." Boyd added, "We've had two phenomenal seasons in a row, and Dan has singlehandedly reversed the trend in harness racing at that facility."
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