Joe Morris |
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Joe Morris |
BiographyJoe Morris is the Senior Vice President of Racing for Caesar’s Entertainment, overseeing Caesars’ racing operations at its tracks across the country. Growing up on a horse farm in Maine set the tone for a career in racing for Joe Morris. A 1983 graduate of the University of Maine with a business and finance degree, Morris went to work for the Sullivan Family at Hinsdale Raceway in New Hampshire and Foxboro Raceway in Massachusetts following college which laid the groundwork for his career as a racing executive. He served in numerous capacities, from associate judge, assistant general manager and eventually general manager. Morris later joined the staff of EquiSource which turned into the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Purchasing with Morris managing the company in Maine. While at the helm of NTRA Purchasing, he solidified deals with companies such as John Deere, FedEx, Net Jets, and Dodge, who are still active sponsors in racing today. A move to Lexington landed Morris at BowTie Publishing, which oversaw the production of publications including Thoroughbred Times, Thoroughbred Today, and Horse Illustrated. Morris’ track record of results caught the eye of racetrack operator The Stronach Group and he joined their staff in 2010, selling sponsorships and helping at their many racing properties, including Santa Anita, Gulfstream, Pimlico, Golden Gate Fields, and Portland Meadows. Morris also stepped in as general manager at Golden Gate for two years, taking the company from a loss to a profitable property. Morris left in 2013 to become president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California and helped guide the industry through the closing of Hollywood Park and the transition of Los Alamitos into a Thoroughbred meet. He returned to Stronach Group and was elevated to Santa Anita’s senior vice president, west coast operations. Morris also worked for two years for horse owner Mike Pegram in Nevada before being named senior vice president of racing for Caesars Entertainment in 2020, overseeing operations for the company’s new acquisitions in horse racing. Initial tracks under the Caesars Entertainment umbrella included Harrah’s Philadelphia, Eldorado Scioto Downs, Horseshoe Indianapolis, and Harrah’s Hoosier Park. Additionally, a new racetrack has been added under the Caesars umbrella as Harrah’s Columbus Racing & Casino in Nebraska opened in 2024, a project fully coordinated and executed by Morris. In early 2024, Morris was honored by the USTA with is President’s Award. Morris also serves as one of three non-jockey ambassadors for Jockeys and Jeans, which raises money annually for the Permanently Disabled Jockey’s Fund. Morris was also named 2022 Person of the Year for Jockeys and Jeans and sits on numerous boards associated with racing. Morris has kept his roots in Lexington. He and his wife, Debbie, along with their son, John, own a small farm near Keeneland and breed and race Standardbreds in Kentucky. They also own and operate Silver Streak Market near Keeneland. CONTACT INFORMATION: 4811 Versailles Rd Lexington, KY 40510 Phone: 859-621-8286 [ Email] TERM EXPIRES: 2027 (Track Director) |
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