Duggan will oversee Gulfstream Park as new 1/ST Racing executive

David Duggan has been appointed executive vice president of 1/ST Racing.

The company said Duggan assumed day-to-day responsibility for the leadership of Gulfstream Park’s racing operations and management.

Billy Badgett shifted his focus away from day-to-day operations and management toward shaping the strategic future of Florida racing as executive director of Florida operations, for 1/ST Racing.

Duggan, a former trainer, was general manager of Golden Gate Fields for seven years until the California track was closed by 1/ST last year.

"It's a bit like taking over the Los Angeles Dodgers from Tommy Lasorda, because Billy Badgett has put together the most incredible team," Duggan told Thoroughbred Daily News. "They really are amazing. Obviously, (vice president of administration) Sheri Holmes, who has been there for a long time, and we've got a great commentator in Pete Aiello. Overall, they're an extremely strong team who will make things a lot easier for me, and I will have Billy Badgett to call upon when I begin to run aground, should the case arise. It would be pretty hard to mess it up. It's a broad spectrum–a great blend of youth and experience. The racing office led by the two Mikes, Costanzo and Lakow, have a really good grasp of everything, and that makes my job a lot easier.”