Speaker Series: Andrew Offerman, New York Racing Association
Coglianese/NYRA
As part of the Joe Hirsch Speaker Series, Andrew Offerman joined RTIP students via Zoom for a conversation about race track operations.
Mr. Offerman, a graduate from the program in 2010, worked at Canterbury Park from 2010 until 2022 where he served in various operations roles until his departure to the New York Racing Association (NYRA). In 2022 he accepted a role at NYRA as GM and VP of Operations, and was promoted to the Sr. VP of Racing and Operations this year.
He spoke to the students about the renovation of Belmont Park and all of the pieces that needed to be accomplished to make it a success. From moving the Belmont Stakes to Saratoga, moving race dates to Aqueduct, building multiple racing surfaces and creating a usable infield, the project is a massive undertaking. Andrew briefed us on his general day-to-day duties, which involved analyzing all the safety records, and how the importance of team meetings to discuss review (and learn from) the positive and negatives of a given racing day or race meet.
He mentioned they had a successful Saratoga summer meet, despite the excessive rains. The also lauded the decision by trainer Kenny McPeek to run Thorpedo Anna in the Travers Stakes and the had a positive impact on the racetrack. It made the Travers a stronger race and made the Alabama a stronger race as well. Andrew commented on the exceptional ovation the second-place finisher received and the fact he hadn’t seen anything comparable during his time in racing.
The conversations concluded with Mr. Offerman showing us renderings of the renovated Belmont Park, and discussing their plans operate a racetrack that will be used for the vast majority of the year.