Chuckas, Salerno are terminated amid Pa. commission changes
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture shook up its horse racing commission on Tuesday, relieving Tom Chukas and Tony Salerno of their duties as directors of the bureaus of horse racing and Standardbred racing, respectively.
Chris Davis, the acting deputy secretary of Plant Industry and Consumer Protection with the Department of Agriculture as well as the executive director for the Commission for Agriculture Education Excellence, said in a Wednesday letter addressed to "racing directors" that he will be the interim director of both bureaus for an undetermined period.
"I wanted to reach out personally to inform you of a recent leadership change within the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, State Racing Commission," Davis said in the letter sent at 1 p.m. EDT. "As of (Tuesday) afternoon, Thomas Chuckas and Tony Salerno are no longer with the department. Following their departure, I have stepped into an acting role to ensure continuity.Â
"The goal of the chairman and the commissioners is to continue to ensure safe racing continues across the commonwealth. We appreciate your partnership in continuing to support this goal. I appreciate your work, understanding and partnership."
Chuckas, who did not respond to a text requesting comment, is a lifelong racing industry executive, having started at Michigan harness tracks in the 1990s and eventually ascending to the presidency of the Maryland Jockey Club in spring 2008. While there, he oversaw the transition of the Preakness infield from bacchanal to subdued music festival. He had been with the Pennsylvania commission since 2016.
Also terminated was Jacon Klousser, the commission's director of enfocement.
Shannon Powers, press secretary for the Department of Agriculture, confirmed via email at 2 p.m. Wednesday that all three individuals "are no longer employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
"We do not comment on personnel matters," she concludes.
The move comes ahead of one of the biggest weekends of racing in Pennsylvania, as Penn National near Harrisburg plays host to its Grade 3 Penn Mile card Friday night. The Penn Mile is the only graded stakes on turf in Pennsylvania.