Bush Tracks, Host Of Other Investigative Topics Covered On ORI Day Two

The Organization of Racing Investigators opened the final day of its Parx conference with another set of timely presentations.

Topics included the impact of bush track racing, and a variety of legal and scientific case studies, which were all geared for the investigator's toolkit.

With varied backgrounds in law enforcement and security, many attendees have experience growing up around horses. Investigators work for tracks and racing commissions, but they can never turn their backs on the chance to improve their techniques and plug into the ORI network fiber.

Kassie Creed, a Safety and Compliance Associate who works at Keeneland under Dr. Stuart Brown in equine safety, attended her second ORI meeting. She is part of the up-and-coming generation who is learning from those with decades of experience.

ORI Conference at Parx | Bill Denver/Equi-Photo

“Something I've noticed as a woman, thinking about my age, things that are relevant now will hit my generation in a different way,” she said. “I'm a small-picture person and my local horse population is my chief concern. So, when I came last year to ORI I added new skills and was able to apply what I learned here to my day-to-day processes, which really helps.”

The group began the day by hearing a talk on unregulated horse racing in North America by the USDA's Dr. Angela Pelzel-McCluskey. The epidemiologist has found 191 'bush tracks' across 30 states, and though all of them are racing Quarter Horses, she said that it is entirely possible that Thoroughbreds could be present too.

“Every time I go looking for these unregulated places, I find more, and if you think they are not in your backyard, like in New England, you'd be wrong,” she said. “The spread of diseases, the use of dirty needles, is a crisis, and there is no federal law that makes this racing illegal.”

The Association of Racing Commissioners International's Ed Martin added during his session, “We are being lumped in with unsanctioned racing and the public sees the videos and they share them. We are going to have to deal with this. It's here. This industry needs to be talking to one another. We need to get together. We need certainty.”

Presenter Ismael Navarreto | Bill Denver/Equi-Photo

Other presentations were offered by seasoned experts who work with Comisión de Juegos de Puerto Rico and from across the state of Pennsylvania. Their specialist's view concerning case studies went to the heart of equine health by examining everything from how pathology can be utilized in court cases, illegal horse ownership, and situational awareness when conducting interrogations.

The conference wrapped with Ann McGovern, the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority's Director of Racetrack Safety. Her presentation addressed last year's catastrophic injuries at Churchill Downs by highlighting the techniques which were implemented during the assessment.

“The process led us to found the HISA Track Surface Advisory Committee and expand on tools like an individual horse's exercise signature and their past performances,” she said.

As for ORI's next conference location, Keeneland was named as the site for 2025 with Dr. Brown serving as the conference chair.

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Keeneland Trustee Louis Lee Haggin III Dies

Louis Lee Haggin III, hailing from an illustrious racing family and a longtime fixture at Keeneland, died Mar. 5, according to Keeneland Tuesday. He was 88.

A lifelong Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Haggin III managed his family's Sycamore Farm. A great, great grandson of legendary horseman James Ben Ali Haggin, who was also the founder of Elmendorf Farm, Haggin III's grandfather, Hal Price Headley, was among the founders of Keeneland. His father, Louis Lee Haggin II, served as the track's second president and subsequently its chairman.

“Keeneland mourns the loss of Louis Lee Haggin III, a beloved figure in Thoroughbred racing and breeding and a pivotal member of the Keeneland family. Mr. Haggin, who served as both a Director and Keeneland's longest-serving Trustee, leaves a legacy of leadership and service to Keeneland, the horse industry and the Central Kentucky community,” read a statement from Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. “Mr. Haggin's roots at Keeneland run deep. He followed his father, former Keeneland President and Chairman Louis Lee Haggin II, in his commitment to preserve the best of Keeneland's rich traditions. From his mother, Alma Headley Haggin, daughter of Keeneland co-founder and inaugural President Hal Price Headley, who is credited with developing the “Keeneland look,” Mr. Haggin developed a love of the land and showcasing its beauty. He spent countless hours walking the grounds with esteemed landscape architects George Betsill and Robert Sanders and worked throughout his life to continue his mother's legacy at Keeneland. We do not make a decision about touching a branch of a tree on our grounds without thinking about Mr. Haggin and whether he would approve.

“He joined the Keeneland Board in 1971 and served as a Keeneland Trustee from 1980 until his retirement in 2015. Mr. Haggin was truly devoted to Keeneland and had a special love for this institution. He was a dear friend to Keeneland and to me, and we will miss his presence and guidance.

“Keeneland extends our love and deepest condolences to Mrs. Haggin, Louis, Ben, Gay and the entire Haggin family.”

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Letter to the Editor: The Importance of the Race Track Chaplaincy

Last week, I attended the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) national conference at the Falls Creek Conference Center in Davis, Oklahoma. There were more than 100 participants including track chaplains, local council leaders, national board and staff. I am here to share a good news story about a group that is serving God, serving people and making a difference in horse racing.

At its core, our sport showcases the Thoroughbred, one of the greatest creatures on this earth, and the dedicated group of people who love and work with those animals. Millions enjoy our sport on all levels, including casual fans, horseplayers, industry workers, breeders, trainers and owners.

I groomed horses prior to my senior year of college, and I learned many things that have stuck with me my entire professional career. Of course, I loved working with the majestic Thoroughbred. I also gained an appreciation for the dedication of the many individuals who are involved in the care of our horses.

There are literally hundreds of thousands of people who make up our industry. Most have demanding, non-traditional work schedules, and many have to travel on a racing circuit. It is difficult for them to develop a relationship with a church and attend traditional services. Also, the work can be physical and demanding. Especially in the past, there was nowhere to turn when life's challenges caused a “bump in the road.”

In a traditional setting, many people can access their church or family and friends to help them through tough times.

In the 1970's, RTCA founder Salty Roberts recognized this situation, and the need for a ministry within the racing industry.  The RTCA was formed as an evangelical, interdenominational, 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian organization whose purpose is to minister to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social and educational needs of workers within the horse racing industry.

In its simplest terms, the primary mission of any Christian is to “Love God, love others.” The Chaplains, council members and volunteers of the RTCA carry out this mission every day. As the Vice President of the RTCA Board, it is a pleasure and honor to spend time with this group of humble servants who make such a difference in our industry.

The most visible part of a chaplain's duties may be worship services and Bible studies. Those important efforts just scratch the surface of the chaplain's job. It is a ministry of presence with Biblically based counsel, as well as offering resources like food and clothing banks, recreational activities and educational workshops. Chaplains perform weddings, handle funerals, do baptisms and make numerous trips to the hospital. When workers need a ride to the grocery store or a doctor's appointment, many times it is the chaplain or a volunteer ready to provide transportation. Like many other jobs in the horse racing, industry it is seven days a week.

At the national conference there was an exchange of experiences and ideas. The chaplains described it as a ministry of presence. It is important to get to know the people. Ask questions. One chaplain called it loitering with intent. If someone is going through a tough time, pray with them. In 2023, every RTCA chaplain went through QPR training (Question, Persuade and Refer) to help educate them about the mental health issues facing many of our workers.

As you might guess, there is not one chaplain that does their job for the financial reward. As a matter of fact, I heard about a chaplain that was ministering on a small circuit which raced only on weekends. This person was dedicated to filling a need each weekend at the track, and then would drive home and get up early Monday morning to drive a garbage truck to pay the bills. There are many stories of volunteers who provide important assistance to serve the workers at the track.

Mindy Coleman, representing the Jockeys' Guild, was in attendance. That organization has worked with the RTCA for many years to make a difference in the very difficult lives of jockeys. A track chaplain brings together the jockeys and leads a prayer prior to the races at virtually every racetrack served by the RTCA. The chaplain is there to counsel and pray with the riders in times of need. And, when a rider is injured, the chaplain is always one of the first ones at the hospital. During my career in track management, I have witnessed the difference in the environment in the jockeys' room before the RTCA, and after. In a very competitive and demanding profession, the presence of the chaplain has made a major positive impact which is summed up by the RTCA theme of “Bringing God's Grace to the Race.”

The conference was about God's Love, and unity and focus for the RTCA. It was obvious that every chaplain present felt blessed to be in the role of serving others. There was not one complaint. However, chaplains can be under a great deal of pressure with the many duties they are tasked with. Let's reach out to support and encourage them. If you are part of a horse organization, ask what you can do to support the RTCA at your track or training center. If you are in track management, make the chaplain part of your team.

To learn more about the RTCA, visit www.rtcanational.org.

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