Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie President Corey Johnsen was elected the 32nd President of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA) at its annual Board of Directors' meeting Thursday in Indian Wells, California.

Johnsen, also the President of Remington Park in Oklahoma City, will succeed Joe Harper, the President of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club who concluded a two-year term.

The TRA, formed in 1942, is a trade organization comprised of 43 North American racetracks and associations whose races generate more than 75 percent of the $15.1 billion wagered on North American Thoroughbred racing. Over the years, the association has played a leading role in the establishment of many programs beneficial to the horse racing industry, including the formation of the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau in 1946 and the Eclipse Awards in 1972.

The naming of Johnsen as TRA President comes just four months after Lone Star Park had record-breaking success as host of the 21st Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, horse racing's foremost international event.

Johnsen has more than 25 years experience as a seasoned racetrack manager and marketer, whose career has been highlighted by the successful openings of two modern racetracks: Remington Park in 1988 and Lone Star Park in 1997. Both are now owned by Magna Entertainment Corp. (MEC).

Johnsen's work to design and build Lone Star Park, as well as plot the course for a profitable horse racing industry in the state of Texas, began in 1994. Under his guidance, Lone Star Park has grown into a major player on the world's racing stage.

Before joining Lone Star Park, Johnsen played a pivotal role in the development, construction, and opening of Remington Park, becoming its general manager in 1992. He also has worked at Arlington Park, Turf Paradise and Louisiana Downs, where his 30-minute production, "Ride Like The Wind," garnered Eclipse Award honors for best local television production in 1986.

The TRA Board of Directors also elected C. Kenneth Dunn, president of Calder Race Course, and David S. Willmot, chairman and chief executive officer of Woodbine Entertainment Group, as vice presidents.

Dunn has served as the president or general manager of major racetracks across the country since 1976, when he was named vice president and general manager of Atlantic City Race Course. Dunn, who was also general manager for Fair Grounds in New Orleans and president of the new Arlington International Race Course, has worked at Calder since 1990.

In 1984, Willmot became a Board member of the Ontario Jockey Club, predecessor of the Woodbine Entertainment Group, and its CEO in 1995. He serves on the board of several industry organizations, including the Breeders' Cup, and is a steward of The Jockey Club of Canada. He also is a former president of the Harness Tracks of America, 2000-02.

The Board also re-elected Sam Houston Race Park's Robert L. Bork as secretary, William I. Fasy as treasurer, and Christopher N. Scherf as executive vice president.

Bork has more than 30 years background in racetrack management and is currently Sam Houston Race Park's president and general manager. Fasy is the chief operating officer of Delaware Park and Ocean Downs and has more than 20 years experience in the hospitality and entertainment business. Scherf has been the TRA executive vice president since 1988.