Butler Appointed To Role of 1/ST President

Aidan Butler, who has served 1/ST RACING AND GAMING as its Chief Executive Officer since September 2022, has been appointed the president of the organization by Belinda Stronach, the Chairwoman and CEO of 1/ST.

According to a release, the expansion of Butler's role into president 'reflects and supports Stronach's mandate of continued growth in the company's racing and gaming assets.' Stronach, the daughter of Frank Stronach, has held the position of president in addition to her other roles since the introduction of 1/ST in 2020.

Butler's primary focus will be on the innovation and diversification of the company's industry leading wagering and gaming assets. He will work closely with the Chief Executive Officers and leadership of the 1/ST RACING AND GAMING, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST CONTENT and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses to drive growth and performance and to achieve strategic objectives.

As the CEO of 1/ST RACING AND GAMING, Butler has overseen racing operations at the tracks within the 1/ST portfolio and its training centers while endeavoring to expand the company's gaming footprint to capitalize on the future of sports wagering and gaming. Craig Fravel, Executive Vice-Chairman, 1/ST RACING AND GAMING together with Stephen Screnci, President of Racing & Business Development, 1/ST Racing and Gaming, will assume responsibility for day-to-day racing and training operations.

Butler previously served as Chief Operating Officer, 1/ST RACING and as Chief Strategy Officer for The Stronach Group.

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1/ST Racing & Gaming Unveiled

The Stronach Group's Belinda Stronach introduced 1/ST RACING & GAMING, an enhanced division of the company designed to position the core Thoroughbred horse racing business to fully capitalize on the future of sports wagering and gaming. According to a Wednesday evening press release from the company, the 1/ST RACING & GAMING division will continue to oversee racing operations at 1/ST tracks and training centers while working to expand the company's gaming footprint in collaboration with 1/ST TECHNOLOGY led by the divisions' Chief Executive Officer, Paul Williams.

“The shifting landscape of sports wagering, digital platforms and interest in high-quality content presents an opportunity for 1/ST to innovate to meet the demands of our modern consumers,” said Stronach. “An enhanced 1/ST RACING & GAMING business unit will enable us to move faster and more efficiently to deliver our unique, industry-leading Thoroughbred horse racing, gaming and sports entertainment content to the next generation audience.”

Stronach has appointed Aidan Butler as Chief Executive Officer and Craig Fravel as Executive Vice-Chairman of the newly formed division.

Butler has appointed Rikki Tanenbaum as Chief Commercial Officer and President of Gaming, and Stephen Screnci as President of Racing and Business Development.

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FHBPA Ballots in the Mail

The ballots for the 2022 Election of the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association Board of Directors were sent out Monday. The FHBPA has hired Election Services Co. as its independent third-party election provider. Ballots will be sent by email to all FHBPA members who have a valid email address on file or by paper ballot to the mailing address on file if there is no email address available. Election day is set for Mar. 15.

A total of seven candidates will run in the election: owners Adam Lazarus, Troy Levy, and David Rousso; and trainers Kathy Davey, Michael Lerman, Joe Orseno, and Terri Pompay. Outgoing President Stephen Screnci has withdrawn his name from consideration for the 2022 FHBPA Election.

Click here for more information on the election.

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Florida HBPA Honors Dwoskin, Con Lima At Annual Awards Ceremony

The Florida HBPA held its annual General Nominating Meeting and Awards Dinner Saturday night at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., with nearly 100 owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, and racing executives in attendance at Ten Palms. The guest speaker was the new President and CEO of the NTRA, Tom Rooney. The evening closed with the annual FHBPA Awards Ceremony. Host Ron Nicoletti announced the winners in nine categories.

“Each year, the Florida HBPA recognizes the horses that shine not just during the Championship Meet, but year-round in South Florida,” FHBPA President Stephen Screnci said. “All of our Champions competed at Gulfstream during the Royal Palm and Flamingo Festival meets that run from April through November.

“We also changed it up a little this year to honor one of our owners or trainers not just for their accomplishments on the racetrack, but also for their contributions to our community,” Screnci added. “Steve Dwoskin is our first FHBPA 'Person of Distinction,' and we couldn't have found a worthier candidate for the award.”

An owner and trainer in South Florida since 1969, Dwoskin has long been a partner with Sylvester Comprehensive Care Center, a part of the University of Miami Health System (UHealth). A generous donation to Sylvester helped to fund the Dwoskin Proton Therapy Center, which began treating patients with advanced and precise radiation therapy last September.

He is also the owner/trainer of this year's Champion Older Filly/Mare Choose Joy.

Dwoskin, who lost his father and brother to cancer, was emotional when he said, “I can handle most anything, but I couldn't handle it when my brother and my father got cancer. When I first got involved [with Sylvester], it was strictly for research, trying to find a cure for cancer. But I got pretty strong there, and I started helping people, friends, and family. If anyone from the horse industry ever needs help, I'm here for you. Helping people – that's what makes me feel really good.”

The complete list of the 2021 FHBPA Champions is:

Person of Distinction: Steve Dwoskin

Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Octane (Arindel, Owner; Carlos David, Trainer)

Two-Year-Old Filly: Outfoxed (LNJ Foxwoods, Owner; Bill Mott, Trainer)

Three-Year-Old Colt: Papetu (Magic Stables LLC, Owner; Antonio Sano, Trainer)

Three-Year-Old Filly: Con Lima (Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Joseph F. Graffeo, Eric Nikolaus Del Toro, and Troy Johnson, Owner; Todd Pletcher, Trainer)

Older Horse/Gelding: Miles Ahead (David Melin, Leon Ellman, and Laurie Plesa, Owner; Eddie Plesa, Trainer)

Older Filly/Mare: Choose Joy (Steve Dwoskin, Owner/Trainer)

Turf Horse/Gelding: Warrior's Pride (Just for Fun Stables, Owner; Antonio Cioffi, Trainer)

Turf Filly/Mare: Shifty She (Chris Pallas and Harvey Rothenberg, Owner; Saffie Joseph Jr., Trainer)

The Dinner also featured the nominations for the 2022 FHPBA Election, which will be announced next week.

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