Magna leaves Meadows Sept. 1; Jeannot new head

Cannery Casino Resorts (CCR) today announced longtime racing executive Mike Jeannot has been named president of the newly formed Meadows Racing, which will assume all racetrack management responsibilities of The Meadows Racetrack & Casino on Sept. 1 from Magna Entertainment.

 

Jeannot has extensive experience in racetrack operations, beginning more than two decades ago in Chicago at InterTrack Partners, which owned and operated off-track wagering facilities. He has held a number of top-level management positions at The Meadows since 1990, most recently serving as the Director of Administration. His duties have included oversight of facilities, food and beverage, and racing operations.

 

Jeannot began working with The Meadows when Ladbrokes owned the track. Magna Entertainment purchased the track from Ladbrokes. When slots were legalized at Pennsylvania's racetracks, Magna Entertainment obtained a five-year contract to manage the racing operations. Earlier this year Magna Entertainment filed for bankruptcy, and then its Pennsylvania subsidiary which operated The Meadows followed suit.

 

“Our transition to management of all trackside operations will be seamless thanks in large part to the guidance of Mike Jeannot as the leader of Meadows Racing,” said CCR Chief Operations Officer Xavier Walsh. “With over two decades of experience, Mike has developed a stellar reputation in the local community and in the harness racing industry. Racing at The Meadows has gotten off to a great start at our new facility, but race fans haven’t seen anything yet.  Mike is going to take harness racing to a whole new level.”

 

The Meadows recently concluded the 43rd edition of the Adios Day Festival, which culminated with the $677,665 Delvin Miller Adios “Pace for the Orchids,” one of the richest harness racing purses on the East Coast.

 

“Harness racing has a deep and rich tradition at The Meadows, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to build on that through Meadows Racing,” Jeannot said.  “We have a great team and dedicated horsemen in place. Everyone is excited to be a part of this new challenge to make racing better than ever at The Meadows.”

A world-class entertainment destination, The Meadows Racetrack & Casino recently opened the final phase of the $175 million, 350,000-square-foot facility, which includes 3,700 slot machines, an electronic table-games pit, premier restaurants with spectacular views of the gaming floor and the race track, a new racing grandstand, simulcast area, VIP super boxes and an all-ages bowling center.  For more information, please go to: www.meadowsgaming.com. (Meadows Gaming)