Agenda

TUESDAY, December 8

7:00-8:00 am | Catalina
Complimentary Breakfast Sponsored by United States Trotting Association

8:00-8:30 am | Salon A&B
Welcome & Keynote Address

Randy Boyd – President, University of Tennessee System & Co-Founder of Boyd Racing
Dr. Patricia A. Prelock – Provost and Chief Academic Officer, University of Arizona

8:30-9:45 am | Salon A&B
The 99%: The Work Behind the Winner's Circle
Racing fans often see the trophy presentation, the major victory, or the career-defining moment. What they rarely see is the 99% that came before - the early mornings, long hours, setbacks, near misses, difficult decisions, and years of persistence required to reach the sport's highest levels. This panel brings together winners of some of horse racing's top races to discuss the realities of building a career in the industry. Through personal stories and candid reflections, speakers will explore the challenges they faced, the failures they learned from, and the lessons that ultimately helped them succeed. Their experiences demonstrate that success in horse racing is rarely the result of a single breakthrough, but rather the culmination of years of dedication, resilience, and continuous improvement. Attendees will gain practical insights into how top performers navigate adversity, learn from failure, build strong professional relationships, and sustain success over the long term. The discussion will explore the importance of perseverance, mentorship, adaptability, and continuous learning in an industry where patience and resilience are often the difference between giving up and breaking through. Because while everyone remembers the 1%, the lessons are found in the 99%.

Steve Asmussen – Hall of Fame Trainer
Cherie DeVaux – 2026 Kentucky Derby Winning Trainer
Doug O'Neill – 2012 & 2016 Kentucky Derby Winning Trainer
MODERATOR: Donna Barton Brothers – Former Jockey & NBC Sports Reporter

9:45-10:00 am | Exhibit Area
Beverage Break Sponsored by Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

10:00-10:45 am | Salon A&B
HISA: Progress, Priorities & the Path Forward
HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus will provide a brief update on HISA’s progress, key accomplishments and priorities, and the organization’s financial position. The presentation will be followed by a fireside chat with Lisa, exploring HISA’s work to date, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and the future of racing safety and integrity.

Lisa Lazarus – CEO, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority
MODERATOR: Jay Hovdey – National Columnist, BloodHorse Publications

10:45-11:45 am | Salon A&B
What Racing Can Learn from Sports’ Boldest Innovators
Innovation rarely comes from looking inward. Some of the most successful sports organizations have transformed the fan experience, embraced new technologies, developed fresh business models, and attracted new audiences by challenging long-held assumptions. What lessons can horse racing borrow from these successes? Featuring Mike McCarley, Founder & CEO of TMRW Sports, and Russ Brandon, CEO of the United Football League, this panel will explore how organizations are rethinking the traditional sports experience. TMRW Sports, the company behind TGL, has approached golf from the ground up, combining technology, entertainment, venue design, media, and strategic partnerships to create a new way for fans to experience the sport. The UFL is similarly building a modern sports property with a focus on audience engagement, media, partnerships, and the overall fan experience. The discussion will examine how innovation, technology, media, venue design, strategic partnerships, and customer engagement can create new audiences and new opportunities. Not every idea will translate to racing. But some could challenge long-held assumptions and fundamentally change how the industry thinks about its future.

Russ Brandon – CEO, United Football League
Mike McCarley – Founder & CEO, TMRW Sports

Noon-1:00 pm | Kiva Ballroom
Luncheon, Awards and Presentations (Complimentary & open to all) Sponsored by New York Racing Association

1:15-2:00 pm | Salon A&B
The CAW Experiment: Results, Lessons and What’s Next
Dave O’Rourke announced a plan to implement NYRA’s CAW experiment at last year’s Global Symposium on Racing. One year later, he returns to share the results of the experiment, what NYRA learned and what the data revealed about the impact of CAW on its wagering business. Bill Nader will provide a broader perspective on CAW, drawing on his experience in California and the industry’s evolving approach to computer-assisted wagering. Together, they’ll examine the larger questions surrounding the future of CAW in racing.

Bill Nader – President & CEO, Thoroughbred Owners of California
David O’Rourke – President & CEO, The New York Racing Association
MODERATOR: Pat Cummings – Executive Director, National Thoroughbred Alliance (NTA)

1:30-3:00 pm | Executive Boardroom
International Tote Protocol Meeting

2:00-3:00 pm | Salon A&B
The Next Chapter: Reaching Racing Fans in a Changing Sports Media Landscape
Horse racing, like most sports, relies on television partnerships to connect with fans and grow participation. With the announcement of FanDuel TV’s cessation of live horse racing broadcasts, the industry faces important questions about customer acquisition, content distribution, and broad audience engagement. Industry leaders will discuss how racing must adapt when the industry’s television provider walks away, where new opportunities exist, and what strategies can help the sport remain competitive in an increasingly crowded sports entertainment marketplace.

Todd Roberts – President & CEO, Roberts Communications Network and Racetrack Television Network
Mike Salvaris – Co-Founder, Pro League Network
MODERATOR: Michelle Fischer – Vice President, SIS

3:00-3:10 pm | Exhibit Area
Beverage Break Sponsored by Exacta Systems

3:10-4:00 pm | Salon A&B
50 Ideas in 50 Minutes: The Next Generation
The future of racing will be shaped by the leaders willing to challenge convention today. In this fast-paced session, the next generation of leaders take the stage to share their ideas for the sport’s future. Emerging leaders will each have one minute to present one idea, innovation, or bold proposal that could improve racing. From fan engagement and technology to wagering, workforce development, ownership, media, and the racing product itself, the ideas will be practical, provocative, and designed to spark conversation. No long presentations. No panels. Just 50 ideas, 50 minutes, and a room full of people thinking about what racing could become.

Eric DeCoster – Racing Coordinator, New York Racing Association
Bella Hodge – Marketing Manager, Colonial Downs
Nathan Klein – Announcer, Penn National Racecourse
Alex Sausville – Solis/Litt Bloodstock
Matt Scull – President/Managing Partner, First Rodeo Racing
MODERATOR: Delaina Stenchever – Broadcast Analyst & Media Manager, Turf Paradise

4:00-5:00 pm | Salon A&B
The On-Track Racing Product: Lessons from the Past, Solutions for the Future
This panel features some of racing's most senior racing officials who have seen just about everything the sport can throw at them. They've weathered industry booms and downturns, adapted to changing horse populations, rewritten countless condition books, and made the daily decisions that determine what fans see on the racetrack. The conversation will explore many of the industry's product challenges, including building effective condition books, filling races in an era of declining foal crops, recruiting and developing racing office staff, improving interstate coordination of racing and breeding programs, managing public perception, and addressing the growing influence of "super trainers". More importantly, this session is about solutions. Hear what has worked, what hasn't, and how lessons learned over decades can help shape a stronger, more sustainable future for the on-track racing product.

Rick Hammerle – Consultant, 1/ST Racing and Director of Racing, Kentucky Downs
Ben Huffman – Vice President of Racing & Racing Secretary, Churchill Downs & Keeneland
Mike Lakow – Vice President of Racing Operations, Gulfstream Park & 1/ST Racing
Martin Panza – Co-Director of Racing, Kentucky Downs
Patrick Pope – Racing Secretary, Oaklawn Park
Tom Robbins – Director of Racing, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
MODERATOR: Jay Privman – Retired National Correspondent, Daily Racing Form

5:00-6:00 pm | Exhibit Area
Evening Networking Reception Sponsored by Kentucky Downs

MONDAY, December 7

9:30-11:00 am | Salon J&K
Putting AI to Work in Racing: What Helps, What Hurts, and How to Tell the Difference
AI is already working in racing, whether it's writing marketing copy and social posts, handling routine fan and customer questions, or digging through handle, field size and website analytics to find out what's driving your business. And with AI agents, more of these tasks can happen with little or no human intervention. But the manager's job hasn't changed: you still have to figure out where AI actually helps, where it quietly degrades quality or adds risk, and how to know the difference. In this session, we'll get practical about choosing the right AI applications for your operation, setting a few simple ground rules so AI use doesn't create new problems, and measuring whether it's actually delivering.

Kathleen Kennedy – Professor of Practice, Norton School of Human Ecology
Mark Midland – CEO, Horse Racing Nation

9:30-11:30 am | Salon E&F
ARCI Model Rules Meeting
The ARCI Model Rules Committee will meet to consider presentations on any advance submissions for proposed additions or modifications to the “Model Rules of Racing” which embody the best regulatory practices for horse racing. Any additions or modifications recommended by the Model Rules Committee are then sent to the ARCI Board of Directors for review. The final decision on any additions or modifications will be made by the Board. This Committee meeting is open to the public.

Ed Martin – President, ARCI

11:00 am-Noon | Executive Boardroom
Sleep: The Hidden Competitive Advantage
Horse racing is a 24/7 industry built around early mornings, long hours, travel, and high-stakes decision-making. Yet one of the most important factors affecting performance, safety, health, and well-being is often overlooked: sleep. In this engaging session, Dr. Michael Grandner, one of the nation's leading sleep researchers, will examine how sleep impacts everyone involved in racing—from grooms and trainers to executives and racing staff. Drawing on scientific research, he will explore the consequences of sleep deprivation, the connection between sleep and decision-making, and practical strategies for managing fatigue in a demanding work environment. Attendees will learn why sleep is not simply a matter of personal wellness, but a critical component of workplace safety, peak performance, and long-term success. Dr. Grandner will also share evidence-based approaches for improving sleep quality, including sleep habits, scheduling practices, and strategies that can help racing professionals maximize alertness, resilience, and overall health.

Michael Grandner – Director, Sleep & Health Research Programs and Associate Director, Center for Sleep, Circadian and Neuroscience Research, University of Arizona College of Medicine

12:30-4:00 pm | Salon J&K
6th Annual Racing Secretary Summit
The racing office is the central hub of all racetracks bringing together racing officials, horsemen, track management, and regulators to coordinate and deliver the daily racing product. The year’s Summit will include discussions and a practical, interactive workshop focused on the challenges and decisions facing racing operations. Topics include conversations with trainers and discussions about the foal crop, horse supply, field size, scheduling, racing programs, attracting and retaining horsemen and the changing needs of horseplayers. Bring your questions, your data, and your challenges; leave with information and ideas you can take back to your track.

Chris Dobbins – Senior Vice President, InCompass Solutions
Rick Hammerle – Consultant, 1/ST Racing and Director of Racing, Kentucky Downs

1:00-2:00 pm | Salon L
Investing in Racing's Future: Five Years of HRWA
Five years ago, the Horse Racing Women’s Association (HRWA) launched with a clear mission: to engage, elevate, and invest in women across every facet of the Thoroughbred racing industry. Since then, HRWA has grown into a year-round community connecting women through mentorship, professional development, networking, education, and shared experiences. This milestone session will bring together representatives from the HRWA to reflect on what has been accomplished and the lessons learned along the way. But five years in, the important question is not simply what HRWA has accomplished, but why this work matters to the future of the sport. Drawing on five years of programming, community feedback, and personal experiences, the panel will explore what happens when an industry intentionally creates opportunities, and how investing in people can help racing attract, retain, and develop the talent it needs to thrive. Looking ahead, the discussion will challenge the industry to consider what comes next. How do we turn networking into meaningful opportunity, mentorship into sponsorship, and encouragement into action? What responsibility belongs to HRWA, and what responsibility belongs to all of us? Ultimately, this is a conversation about more than one organization or one milestone. It is about the people who will shape the future of racing, and what we can do today to give them a reason to stay, contribute, and lead.

Stephanie Hronis – Hronis Racing & CTHF and TOC Board Member
Shona Rotondo – Co-Founder of GSS, The Marketing Agency
Jodie Vella-Gregory – Vice President, Industry Relations, 1/ST Racing
Alexa Zepp – Strategic Partnerships, Sponsorships, & Emerging Media Manager at America’s Best Racing
MODERATOR: Christina Blacker – Racing Host & Analyst

2:00-3:00 pm | Salon L
Beyond the Spot Check: Mapping the Racing Surface in Real Time
Racing surfaces have traditionally been evaluated through periodic measurements, spot checks, and perhaps most importantly, the experience and instincts of the track superintendent. New cutting-edge technology is opening the door to something more comprehensive: continuously mapping the racing surface to understand not just what is happening at a single location, but how conditions vary across the entire track, and how they change over time. This session explores the development and field deployment of the Defender Surface Intelligence system, which combines surface mapping, geophysics, GPS, moisture, weather and other environmental data to create a more complete picture of the racing surface. The conversation will focus on how large volumes of data can be transformed into practical information that track superintendents can use to make better-informed maintenance and management decisions. Most importantly, the panel will address the relationship between technology and experience: technology can provide a clearer picture of the surface, but it cannot replace the knowledge, judgment and expertise of the people responsible for managing it.

Steve Andersen – Founder and Managing Partner Defendable Data and Surface Solutions
Dr. Trey Rogers – Professor of Turfgrass Research, Michigan State University
Kevin Woller – Director of Technology and Partner, Defendable Data and Surface Solutions

2:00-3:00 pm | Executive Boardroom
New World Screwworm & the Frontline of Equine Biosecurity
The detection of New World screwworm in Texas has raised urgent concerns for animal health officials and the broader livestock and equine industries. While current cases are limited, the parasite’s ability to rapidly infect open wounds makes it a serious risk for horses, particularly in a sport defined by frequent travel and close-contact stable environments. This panel will examine what the Texas situation could mean for horse racing, how quickly a localized outbreak could affect movement and competition, and what proactive steps race track management, trainers, and regulators should take now. Discussion will focus on practical biosecurity measures, stable protocols, transport precautions, and coordination with veterinary and regulatory authorities. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the risk landscape and actionable strategies to strengthen prevention, early detection, and response across racing operations.

Dr. Suzette dePersio – DVM, MS, FADD, NEMAA, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Dr. Betsy Greene – Professor/Extension Horse Specialist, ACBS/Cooperative Extension, University of Arizona
Dr. Emily Janovyak – DVM, MPH, DACVPM Assistant Director, Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Arizona
Dr. Ryan Wolker – State Veterinarian, FADD, Animal Services Division, Arizona Department of Agriculture

3:00-4:00 pm | Salon L
Choosing a Different Track: New Approaches to Resolving Racing Disputes
Last year, the Symposium introduced the concepts and methodologies behind alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and early dispute resolution (EDR). This year, the conversation moves from theory to application. Through real-world examples and practical demonstrations, this session will explore how ADR tools can be used to resolve disputes within the horse racing industry more efficiently and effectively. The panel will examine different forms of ADR, where they can be most useful, and lessons learned from the first year of mediation under HISA’s proposed Rule 7050. The session will also take attendees inside the EDR process, demonstrating the four key stages: initial dispute assessment, information and document exchange, risk analysis—including the use of decision trees to forecast the risk-adjusted value of a case—and ultimately, resolution. Rather than simply discussing the benefits of alternative approaches to conflict resolution, this session will demonstrate how these tools work in practice and examine how they could change the way disputes are handled by participants, industry organizations and regulators across racing.

Richard Erhard – Principal & Founder, Richard Erhard and Associates, LLC
Peter Sacopulos – Senior Partner, Sacopulos, Johnson & Sacopulos

3:00-4:00 pm | Executive Boardroom
Wearables in Racing: What We Can Measure, How We Can Analyze It, and Where the Technology Is Going
Wearable technologies are providing unprecedented information about equine movement, workload, recovery, and behavior—but collecting data is not the same as producing useful insight. This interactive workshop will explore how inertial motion sensors, heart rate and HRV monitors, GPS, synchronized video, and markerless pose-estimation tools such as DeepLabCut can be used to study equine athletes. Using real-world examples, participants will follow wearable data from collection through quality control, synchronization, analysis, visualization, and interpretation. Case studies will include measuring gait and asymmetry, establishing individual movement “fingerprints,” monitoring cardiovascular recovery, and combining video with sensor data. The workshop will also examine common failure modes, including motion artifacts, inconsistent sensor placement, missing data, misleading automated summaries, and overreliance on population averages. Participants will learn how to determine when wearable results are trustworthy, when measurements should be repeated, and when findings warrant veterinary or professional evaluation. The session will conclude by looking toward multimodal monitoring, AI-assisted analysis, individual longitudinal baselines, rehabilitation and return-to-work applications, shared data standards, and future collaborations across racing, research, veterinary medicine, and aftercare. No technical background is required.

Brad Bolen – CEO, Hooflink Powered By LipChipLLC
Dr. Laura Miller – Professor of Mathematics and Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona
Dr. Thilo Pfau – Professor of Kinesiology and Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary

4:00-5:00 pm | Executive Boardroom
Beyond the Finish Line: The Future of Thoroughbred Aftercare
Thoroughbred aftercare has evolved dramatically over the past 15 years, becoming an increasingly important part of the racing industry. A recent initiative by Keeneland Association, Fasig-Tipton Company Inc., Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Inc. (OBS) and a group of leading North American stallion farms will provide additional funding for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to strengthen long-term support for accredited aftercare programs while encouraging broader participation across the industry. As part of its newly adopted strategic plan, the TAA will establish an Allocation Task Force, along with a series of subcommittees representing diverse sectors of the industry designed to leverage specialized expertise, address unmet needs and enhance transparency in the distribution of aftercare funding. This panel will explore the process of this initiative and what the future of Thoroughbred aftercare looks like and how the industry can build a stronger, more sustainable system for horses transitioning from racing and breeding into their next careers.

Walt Robertson – President, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance
Jen Roytz – Aftercare Liaison, Keeneland

4:00-5:00 pm | Salon E&F
Listening to the Racetrack Surface
After two decades of research and racetrack testing, the past three years have expanded that work to include pre-meet testing at 56 racetracks and daily measurements at 44 racetracks. The racetrack surfaces are now beginning to tell a story. This session will explore what those measurements are revealing and how both HISA and non-HISA-covered racetracks are using the information to create more consistent racing surfaces. The testing and interpretation of racetrack data are grounded in equine biomechanics and peer-reviewed research.

The discussion will begin with the biomechanics of the horse and how hoof and lower-limb loading determines the racing surface data that needs to be collected. It will then examine what is currently being measured during pre-meet inspections and daily testing, followed by a look at emerging sensor technologies and the use of artificial intelligence, including convolution neural networks and visual language models, to fill gaps in the data currently being collected.

Branden Brookfield – On-site Testing Manager, Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory
Dr. Joe Dvorak – Associate Professor, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky
Dr. Raoul Reiser – Associate Professor & Director of Clinical Biomechanics Laboratory, Colorado State University

4:00-5:00 pm | Salon J&K
The Five-Tool Team: Bringing Out the Best in People to Make Better Decisions
In horse racing, success is never achieved by one individual. It is the result of tightly connected teams working together across racing operations, training barns, breeding farms, regulatory bodies, and racetrack management. The ability to communicate, make decisions, and perform under pressure is essential, particularly when timelines are tight and conditions can change rapidly. Drawing from the principles in his new book, The Five-Tool Team: Bringing Out the Best in People to Make Better Decisions, Dr. Ricardo Valerdi explores what enables teams in high-performance environments to consistently execute at a high level. Joining him are two of Arizona’s most accomplished coaches, Hall of Fame softball coach Mike Candrea and men’s basketball head coach Tommy Lloyd, who will share perspectives from their experiences building, leading, and sustaining elite teams. The discussion will examine how leaders identify and leverage individual strengths, build trust and accountability, communicate across different roles, and make effective decisions under pressure.

Mike Candrea – Hall of Fame Coach, University of Arizona and USA Softball Women's National Team
Tommy Lloyd – Head Coach, University of Arizona Men's Basketball
Dr. Ricardo Valerdi – Department Head, Systems and Industrial Engineering, University of Arizona

5:00-6:00 pm | Exhibit Area
Opening Networking Reception Sponsored by Roberts Communications Network

WEDNESDAY, December 9

7:00-8:00 am | Catalina
Complimentary Breakfast Sponsored by Global Tote

7:00-8:00 am | Ventana
Prayer Breakfast

8:00-8:15 am | Salon A&B
RTIP Capstone Presentations

Mohanad Almokhadm – RTIP Student
Gianna Rinaldo – RTIP Student

8:15-8:45 am | Salon A&B
Racing's Success Stories: The Year In Review

Russell Fine – President, Game Play Network

8:45-9:45 am | Salon A&B
The State of the Sport: A Conversation with Everett Dobson
Join Everett Dobson, Chairman of The Jockey Club, for an in-depth discussion on the opportunities, challenges, and priorities shaping the future of horse racing. In a fireside chat format, Dobson will share his perspective on the industry's most pressing issues, the strategic direction of The Jockey Club, and the initiatives designed to strengthen the sport for future generations. The conversation will focus on The Jockey Club's strategic priorities for strengthening horse racing, including safety and equine welfare, growing fan engagement, expanding horse ownership, leveraging data and technology, and advancing the sport's long-term economic sustainability. Attendees will gain insight into the progress being made across these initiatives, the challenges that remain, and the role industry stakeholders can play in shaping racing's future. An audience Q&A will follow the conversation.

Everett Dobson – Chairman, The Jockey Club
MODERATOR: Jay Hovdey – National Columnist, BloodHorse Publications

9:45-10:00 am | Exhibit Area
Beverage Break Sponsored by New York Racing Association

10:00-11:00 am | Salon A&B
The Evolution of Horse Racing Wagering and the Modern Player
The way people wager on horse racing has changed, but the industry is still determining what the next generation of its wagering product should look like. Traditional pari-mutuel wagering remains the foundation of the sport, while computer-assisted wagering has transformed the dynamics of today's pools. Fixed-odds wagering is emerging in select markets, and prediction markets are creating another potential model for engaging consumers. For track operators and regulators, the question is not simply which new wagering products and safeguards to adopt. It is in what role, if any, should these emerging models play in the future of racing? This panel will bring together industry voices to examine the evolution of the racing bettor, the impact of sophisticated wagering players, and the opportunities and challenges presented by new approaches to betting. The discussion will explore whether fixed odds, prediction markets and other emerging models can complement pari-mutuel wagering, attract new customers and create additional revenue without compromising the integrity of the sport or the existing wagering ecosystem. .

Simon Fraser – Senior Vice President International, 1/ST Content
Don Johnson – CEO, Quantitative Trading, LLC
MODERATOR: Will Duff Gordon – Chief Operating Officer, Total Performance Data

11:00 am-Noon | Salon A&B
From Sports and Music to Racing: Building New Audiences and New Owners
Racing has long attracted successful athletes, entertainers, and business leaders as owners. Today, sports figures, music executives, and entertainment entrepreneurs are bringing new audiences, powerful personal brands, and fresh approaches to the industry. This panel will explore how influential figures from outside racing are using their platforms, networks, and business expertise to introduce the sport to new fans, create new pathways to ownership, and expand racing’s reach. The discussion will examine what attracts these individuals to racing, how they are helping tell the story of the sport in new ways, and what racing can learn from their approach to audience engagement, marketing, partnerships, and brand building.

Adam Kluger – Founder, Run Fast Racing
Rich Mendez – Co-Founder, Morplay Racing
Jayson Werth – 2024 Belmont Stakes Winner, Founder & Partner, Icon Racing
MODERATOR: Donna Barton Brothers – Former Jockey & NBC Sports Reporter

Noon-1:30 pm | Ventana
Mentor Luncheon (By invitation) Sponsored by LipChip

1:30-2:30 pm | Salon A&B
Mark Kaufman TPA Workshop: Managing Media in an Evolving Landscape
The media ecosystem covering horse racing is changing rapidly. Traditional outlets now share space with independent bloggers, livestreamers, podcasters, content creators, and social media influencers, creating new opportunities and new challenges for racing organizations and event organizers. This panel will explore how racing can adapt its media relations strategies to meet the demands of a more diverse media landscape. Topics will include best practices for evaluating credential applications, balancing access and accountability, and determining how to support emerging voices while maintaining strong relationships with established media partners. Attendees will gain practical insights into building fair, transparent, and forward-looking media policies that serve both the industry’s communication goals and the next generation of racing storytellers.

Ed DeRosa – Vice President, Content, Horse Racing Nation
Eric Halstrom – Vice President & General Manager, Horseshoe Indianapolis
Rachel Miller – Senior Brand Marketing Manager, America's Best Racing
MODERATOR: Jessica Paquette – Track Announcer, Parx Racing

2:30-3:30 pm | Salon A&B
Advancing HIWU’s Test Distribution Plan Through Data Analytics and Risk Assessment
Historically, the strategy behind selecting specific horses for drug testing has been a mystery. Is it random, or are specific trainers and horses being targeted? Today, under the oversight of the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), advances in data analytics are reshaping the testing landscape in Thoroughbred racing. This session will explore how HIWU is leveraging artificial intelligence to inform its nationwide test distribution plan, enhance its ability to objectively identify risks to safety and integrity, and efficiently utilize testing resources. Panelists will discuss the development and implementation of this groundbreaking approach to testing strategy in anti-doping.

Michael Beissenherz – Senior Director of Testing Strategies, HIWU
Kate Mittelstadt – Chief of Operations, HIWU
Jared Shafer – Senior Manager of Testing Strategies, HIWU

3:30-4:30 pm | Salon A&B
Latinos in Racing: Building Connections, Growing the Audience
Latinos have deep and growing connections to horses, racing, and the communities that make the sport possible, yet the industry has not fully translated those connections into fans, participants, and customers. This panel will explore how racing can better connect with Latino audiences through authentic storytelling, targeted marketing, community engagement, and stronger representation across the sport. The conversation will include trainers and industry leaders who can share how they have built relationships with Latino fans, owners, employees, and horsemen. From understanding what resonates with Latino audiences to creating marketing that feels relevant and genuine, panelists will discuss practical strategies for attracting new fans and making racing a more welcoming part of their lives.

Gustavo Delgado Jr. – 2023 Kentucky Derby Winning Assistant Trainer
Gabrielle Kuenzeli – Associate Professor of History, University of South Carolina
Carlos Morales – Founder & Director, Agentes 305
MODERATOR: Louis Rabaut – Radio Host, ESPN Louisville

4:30-5:30 pm | Exhibit Area
Closing Reception Sponsored by 1/ST Technology

SUBJECT TO CHANGE