Trainer Kate DeMasi has been chosen as president of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (PTHA) for a three-year term following a membership vote that concluded on December 31. DeMasi, who has been a long-serving board member, secured 314 votes, surpassing horse owner John Julia, who received 169 votes.
Out of 2,162 members who were sent ballots on November 17, 507 participated in the election. The Bucks County Chamber of Commerce supervised the ballot counting, with oversight by an election committee consisting of three PTHA members.
In addition to the presidency, five trainer directors and five owner directors were elected. Among the 11 trainer candidates, Scott Lake led with 286 votes, followed by John Servis (275), Robert Reed Jr. (252), Edward Colletti Jr. (222), and Daniel Velazquez (183). The elected owner directors included Richard Maloof Sr. (240 votes), Greg Newell (239), Jack Armstrong (201), outgoing President Robert Hutt (187), and John Fanelli (186), chosen from a pool of 12 candidates.
Robert Hutt, whose term ended amid an inquiry into the conduct of former longtime PTHA president Sal Devanda, had endorsed a group of candidates including Julia for president, five owners, and four trainers. The trainers supported by Hutt were Colletti and Velazquez, while Fanelli and Hutt represented the owners. Hutt was the only candidate running for the presidency endorsed by the outgoing administration.
DeMasi, who has over 20 years on the PTHA board and three years as vice president, expressed her commitment to leading the association forward. She stated, “I want to pick up where I left off a few years ago and focus on progress. We need to move beyond recent challenges and address the hard work ahead.” She praised the newly elected board as a well-balanced group dedicated to the organization, describing PTHA as more than just a group but a supportive community, particularly connected to Parx.
Together with her husband Greg, DeMasi operates Pewter Stables and benefits from the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association’s breeder incentive program. Originally from Maryland, DeMasi began her career under the mentorship of the late Richard Dutlow Sr., from whom she learned valuable lessons, especially about treating people well. She went independent in 1984, achieving 1,887 wins from 13,088 starts.
This article first appeared in the Paulick Report on January 6, 2026.
Fan Take: This leadership change signals a fresh start for the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, offering hope for stability and renewed focus in the state’s racing community. For fans, it promises a strengthened support system for trainers, owners, and breeders, which is crucial for the sport’s growth and sustainability.
