Agenda

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