The Indiana Horse Racing Commission has announced that it has hired three new judges to officiate its Standardbred racing program.
Michael ‘Mike’ Hall joins the IHRC team as presiding judge. He will be joined by Kevin Gumm and David Magee as associate judges.
Mike Hall, relocating from Delaware, brings with him 25 years of officiating experience to Hoosier Park’s judges stand. He began his career in 1990 as an associate judge at Northfield Park, moving into a presiding judge role for the Ohio Racing Commission. He brings years of experience to this position, from officiating at tracks such as Yonkers Raceway, Pompano Park, and most recently at Harrah’s Philadelphia Racetrack for the Pennsylvania Racing Commission. He has also been featured in Hoofbeats’ ‘Ask the Judge’ column on several occasions. Hall replaces Tim Schmitz who has served as Indiana’s presiding judge with distinction since 1996.
Kevin Gumm, originally from Illinois, has served as an associate judge since 2008. He has worked at several racetracks in the midwest, including Colonial Downs, Running Aces, Maywood, Balmoral Park and most recently Dayton and Miami Valley Raceway in Ohio.
David Magee rounds out the IHRC judges team, making the transition from race bike to judges stand. Bringing with him years of driving experience, the Hall of Fame inductee has accumulated 11,868 driving wins and over $101-million in purse earnings during his driving career. His resume includes driving milestones such as being named 1994 HTA Driver of the Year, representing the United States in the biennial World Driving Championship on two occasions, winning the event in 1995, as well as being inducted into the Living Hall of Fame in 2001. He brings an immense amount of industry knowledge with him to this new role as associate judge.
“Indiana has been fortunate to have many high calibre individuals work in our judges’ stand over the years, including Tim Schmitz, who has held the presiding judge position since 1996. We are thankful to Tim for his years for service to Indiana. I couldn’t be more pleased with our new team and welcome them all to Indiana,” stated Joe Gorajec, executive director of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission.
(With files from the IHRC)