MONDAY, December 9
A series of pre-conference industry meetings and workshops are open to all attendees beginning at 9:30 am.
9:30-11:00 am | Salon J & K
Moisture and Other Daily Measurements to Meet the HISA Racetrack Regulations
Presented by Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory.
10:00 am-12:00 pm | Salon D & E
ARCI Model Rules Meeting
11:00 am-2:30 pm | Salon J & K
4th Annual Racing Secretaries Summit
2:00-4:00 pm | Salon D & E
HISA/HIWU Workshop
3:00-5:00 pm | Salon L
NTRA/NHC Workshop
5:00-6:00 pm | Exhibit Area
Opening Reception
TUESDAY, December 10
7:00-8:00 am | Catalina Ballroom
Complimentary Breakfast Buffet
8:00-8:30 am | Salon A&B
Welcome Remarks
Tommy Lloyd, Head Coach, University of Arizona Men's Basketball
Keynote Address
Louis Cella, President, Oaklawn Park
8:30-9:00 am | Salon A&B
HISA in 2025: A Look Ahead
Lisa Lazarus, CEO, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority
9:15-10:30 am | Salon A&B
Artificial Intelligence: Transformative Applications for Advancing Horse Racing
- Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinary Officer, The Stronach Group
- Mark Midland, Co-Founder & CEO, Horse Racing Nation
- Michael Novak, Founder, Backstretch & Contest Jockey
- Ricardo Valerdi, Department Head, Systems and Industrial Engineering, University of Arizona
- Moderator: Kyle McDoniel President and COO, Equibase
10:45-11:45 am | Salon A&B
Going Global: Updates and Insights from the World Stage
- Hernán Fucile, Commercial Manager, Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo
- Beltrán Montt, Operations Manager, Hipódromo Chile Racetrack
- Solomon Sharpe, Executive Chairman, Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited
- Sarah Tregoning, Media and Communications Director, Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia
- Moderator: Michele Fischer Vice President, SIS Content Services
Noon-1:00 pm | Kiva Ballroom
Luncheon, Awards and Presentations
1:15-2:30 pm | Salon A&B
Champions. Challenges. Commitment.
A Conversation with Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher
- Bob Baffert, Hall of Fame Trainer
- Todd Pletcher, Hall of Fame Trainer
- Moderator: Amy Zimmerman, Senior Vice President & Executive Producer, 1/ST Racing
1:15-3:00 pm | Executive Boardroom
International Tote Protocol Meeting
2:45-4:00 pm | Salon A&B
Investing in Racing's Future: Perspectives From the Next Generation
- Alexa Ravit, Director of Communications & Outreach, Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit
- Eric DeCoster, Racing Official, Oaklawn Park & Prairie Meadows
- Sam Reinhardt, Assistant General Counsel, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority
- Najja Thompson, Executive Director, New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc
- Moderator: Donna Barton Brothers NBC Sports
4:00-4:50 pm | Salon A&B
Fifty Ideas in 50 Minutes
- Alex Dadoyan, Director of Racing, MGM Yonkers
- Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President, Breeders' Cup
- Liza Hendriks, CEO, Inglis Digital USA
- Jay Hovdey, National Columnist, BloodHorse Publications
- Dick Powell, Consultant, Racing & Gaming Services (RGS)
- Moderator: Donna Barton Brothers, NBC Sports
5:00-6:00 pm | Exhibit Area
Evening Networking Reception
WEDNESDAY, December 11
7:00-8:00 am | Catalina Ballroom
Complimentary Breakfast Buffet
7:00-8:00 am | Ventana Room
Prayer Breakfast
Hosted by the Race Track Chaplaincy of America
8:00-8:30 am | Salon A&B
Welcome
Dr. D Scott Merrell, Director, University of Arizona, School of Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences
RTIP Senior Capstone Presentations
- Alicia Evans, RTIP student
- Aldo Zamora, RTIP student
8:30-9:00 am | Salon A&B
Racing's Success Stories – The Year in Review
- Brien Bouyea, Hall of Fame and Communications Director, National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
- Tom Cassidy, Industry Relations Senior Manager, FanDuel
- Annise Montplaisir, Executive Director, Amplify
- Moderator: Robert Hartman, Chair, Race Track Industry Program
9:00-10:00 am | Salon A&B
The HIWU Testing Strategy: A Peek Behind the Curtain
- Kate Mittelstadt, Chief of Operations, Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit
- Shaun Richards, Director of Intelligence & Strategy, Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit
- Dr. Mary Scollay, Chief of Science, Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit
- Moderator: Dr. Jeff Blea, Equine Medical Director, California Horse Racing Board
10:15-11:15 am | Salon A&B
Unlocking the Winning Playbook: Driving Innovative Sports Marketing Strategies
- Dave Almy, Co-Founder, ADC Partners
- Nikki Barry, Multimedia Operations and Brand Manager, Arizona Sports Properties
- Moderator: Bryan Pettigrew, VP and GM of Texas Racing Operations, Penn Entertainment
11:15 am-12:15 pm | Salon A&B
Securing the Future of America’s Retired Racehorses: Strategies, Success Stories, and Sustainable Solutions
- Stacie Clark-Rogers, Operations Consultant, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)
- Pat Cummings, Executive Director, National Thoroughbred Alliance
- Jen Roytz, Co-Owner, Brownstead Farm
- Moderator: Acacia Courtney Clement, Paddock Reporter / Host, Fox Sports
11:30 am-1:15 pm | Ventana Room
Mentor Luncheon (by invitation)
1:30-2:30 pm | Salon A&B
TPA Mark Kaufman Workshop: How Do We Keep Racing Relevant in the Evolving Wagering Landscape?
- Nelson Clemmens, Owner, AmWest Entertainment
- Matt Feig, General Manager, NYRA Bets
- Zachary Taylor, North American Director of Sales, Global Tote
- Moderator: Jessica Paquette, Announcer, Parx Racing — TPA Vice President
2:30-3:30 pm | Salon A&B
Safeguarding Equine Health: Biosecurity Strategies for Disease Prevention and Control
- Dr. Jeff Blea, Equine Medical Director, California Horse Racing Board
- Dustin Dix, Director of Racetrack Operations, Sunland Park
- Dr. Betsy Greene, Professor / Extension Horse Specialist, University of Arizona
- Dr. Ryan Wolker, State Veterinarian, Arizona Department of Agriculture
- Moderator: Elizabeth Rogers, Assistant Professor of Practice, University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program
3:45-4:45 pm | Salon A&B
Structuring Handicapping Contests: Enhancing Bettor Experience While Boosting Bottom Line Results
- Dustin Fabian, Senior Director of Marketing, XpressBet
- Jim Goodman, Mutuel Director, Keeneland
- Brian Skirka, Marketing Manager, Monmouth Park
- Moderator: Michele Ravencraft, Senior Vice President, National Thoroughbred Racing Association
5:00-6:00 pm | Exhibit Area
Closing Reception
Agenda subject to change