The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) hosted its first Racecourse Managers' Conference and Workshop over the last three days at the South Point Hotel and Casino's Arena & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas.
The conference brought together nearly 50 professionals currently serving as racetrack management, superintendents, and equine facility managers from 15 locations across the country.
This conference is a critical component in ensuring that surface professionals have the tools they need to keep horses and riders safe at facilities across the country.
“NYRA is committed to implementing science-driven best practices to establish and maintain safe racing surfaces and facilities for the equine and human athletes who race and train at Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course, and Aqueduct Racetrack,” said Glen Kozak, NYRA Senior Vice President for Operations & Capital Projects.
“As that science and technology continues to evolve, it is more important than ever to share knowledge and best practices informed by on-the-ground experience. The NTRA Racecourse Managers' Conference and Workshop provided the ideal venue to engage in this important dialogue to support safe racing throughout the country.”
The conference brought together a wide crossroads of professionals to experience comprehensive, science-based discussions and demonstrations on maintaining safe racing, training, and event surfaces, along with an explanation of how to participate in the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) racing surface regulations and the processes for HISA implementation and reporting. Additionally, Michael Lawton of Ellis Park Racing in Henderson, KY was the winner of the John Deere TS Gator Giveaway.
During the Conference, the first class of the Racetrack Maintenance Innovation Awards winners were announced and awarded. This award was created to celebrate the work of racetrack professionals who have day-to-day responsibilities for the maintenance, protection, and safety of horses and riders at tracks across the US. The 2022 winners distinguished themselves as some of the most innovative racetrack professionals in Thoroughbred racing. The 2022 winners are:
Leif Dickenson – Turf and Landscape Superintendent at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Joe King – posthumously awarded, former New York Racing Association (NYRA) Track Superintendent
Dennis Moore – Superintendent at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Santa Anita Racetrack, and Los Alamitos Thoroughbred Racing
This conference will be held on an annual basis and NTRA will announce 2023 conference dates at a later time.
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