Speakers

MONDAY, December 7 

Putting AI to Work in Racing: What Helps, What Hurts, and How to Tell the Difference

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

ARCI Model Rules Meeting

• Ed Martin – President, ARCI

Sleep: The Hidden Competitive Advantage

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

6th Annual Racing Secretary Summit 

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

Investing in Racing's Future: Five Years of HRWA 

• 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

Beyond the Spot Check: Mapping the Racing Surface in Real Time 

• 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

New World Screwworm & the Frontline of Equine Biosecurity 

• 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

Choosing a Different Track: New Approaches to Resolving Racing Disputes 

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

Wearables in Racing: What We Can Measure, How We Can Analyze It, and Where the Technology Is Going 

• 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

Beyond the Finish Line: The Future of Thoroughbred Aftercare

• Walt Robertson – President, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

Listening to the Racetrack Surface 

• 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

The Five-Tool Team: Bringing Out the Best in People to Make Better Decisions 

• 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

TUESDAY,  December 8

Welcome & Keynote Addresse

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

The 99%: The Work Behind the Winner's Circle  

• 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

HISA: Progress, Priorities & the Path Forward 

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

What Racing Can Learn from Sports’ Boldest Innovators 

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

The CAW Experiment: Results, Lessons and What’s Next 

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

The Evolution of Horse Racing Wagering and the Modern Player

• Simon Fraser – Senior Vice President International, 1/ST Content
• Don Johnson – CEO, Quantitative Trading, LLC
• Ken Shaw – Aerospace Consultant & Semi-Professional Handicapper
• MODERATOR: Will Duff Gordon – Chief Executive Officer, Total Performance Data

HISA's Vets' List and Scratch Procedures Mapping Project: What We Learned and Where Should We Go? 

• Dr. Jennifer Durenberger – HISA Director of Policy & Industry Initiatives
• Marc Guilfoil – HISA Director of Stewarding & State Racing Commission Relations

50 Ideas in 50 Minutes: The Next Generation 

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

The On-Track Racing Product: Lessons from the Past, Solutions for the Future 

• 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
• Wilson Shirley – Analyst
• MODERATOR: Jay Privman – Retired National Correspondent, Daily Racing Form

WEDNESDAY,  December 9

RTIP Capstone Presentations

• Mohanad Almokhadm – RTIP Student

• Gianna Rinaldo  – RTIP Student

Racing's Success Stories: The Year In Review

• Russell Fine – President, Game Play Network
• Joe De Francis – Board Member, HISA Equine Recovery Foundation  
• Adrian Munro – President, Highfield Investment Group

The State of the Sport: A Conversation with Everett Dobson

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

The Next Chapter: Reaching Racing Fans in a Changing Sports Media Landscape 

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

From Sports and Music to Racing: Building New Audiences and New Owners

• 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

Mark Kaufman TPA Workshop: Managing Media in an Evolving Landscape

• 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

Advancing HIWU’s Test Distribution Plan Through Data Analytics and Risk Assessment 

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

Latinos in Racing: Building Connections, Growing the Audience

• 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