The excitement at Del Mar Racetrack isn’t just on the track these days. Behind the scenes, a new chapter is unfolding as Fred Maas, a longtime horse racing enthusiast and seasoned executive, has joined the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Board. Fans and industry insiders alike are welcoming his arrival, drawn by his impressive career and genuine passion for the sport.
For Maas, racing has always been more than a hobby. From Belmont Park to Del Mar, he has been a familiar face among the stands, studying the form and cheering on his favorite runners. His appointment to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Board signals a deeper commitment to shaping the future of the track he loves.
A Career Spanning Politics, Business, and Sports
Fred Maas, 68, currently serves as Chief of Staff and Counselor for the Los Angeles Chargers, where he oversees business and legal functions. His career, however, has spanned coast to coast, starting from his early days in Rochester, New York, and a cum laude law degree from Syracuse University College of Law.
He has held advisory roles in politics with Senators Bob Dole and John McCain, Congressman Jack Kemp, and Governor Mitch Daniels. Maas also led MRV Systems LLC, manufacturing marine robotic vehicles for oceanographic and defense work, and headed the San Diego Centre City Development Corporation, guiding major redevelopment initiatives downtown.
Leadership in Sports and Development
Beyond politics, Maas’s influence extended into sports. As a partner at Potomac Sports Properties, he worked closely with the PGA TOUR Inc. on marketing, regulatory, and legislative matters. He also oversaw the development of Black Mountain Ranch in San Diego, which became home to renowned residential communities including Santaluz and Del Sur.
In 2017, his lifelong passion for racing was formalized when Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed him to the California Horse Racing Board. Maas has long been a fixture in the racing world, attending top tracks and following the sport closely.
Welcoming Maas to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Board
“Like so many opportunities in my life,” Maas said, “work has allowed me to practice in areas I care deeply about, and hopefully, make a difference.”
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club President Josh Rubinstein expressed enthusiasm for Maas’s appointment: “Fred’s energy, extensive executive experience, and love for horse racing make him a wonderful fit for our Board. We’re delighted to have a man of his stature and ability join us in our quest to make Del Mar and horse racing better and better.”
Maas becomes the 10th member of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Board, joining a team dedicated to promoting the sport and enhancing the fan experience.
Looking Ahead at Del Mar Racing
Del Mar is currently concluding its 86th summer season, with the 12th Bing Crosby Season set to begin on October 30. The upcoming season will highlight the fourth staging of the Breeders’ Cup Championships at the shore oval on October 31 and November 1, a marquee event Maas is expected to support actively in his new role.
With Maas on board, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Board now benefits from a unique combination of political savvy, business acumen, and heartfelt racing enthusiasm—qualities sure to leave a lasting mark on the track and its community.
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