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Peterson Joins IHRC As Equine Medical Director

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission has hired Kerry Peterson, D.V.M as their Equine Medical Director. Dr. Peterson has over 15 years of experience with equine and small animal private practice and regulatory veterinary medicine and most recently served as the Medical Director and Veterinarian of Pet Wellness Clinics, which has nine locations in central Indiana. In addition, her past regulatory experience includes Director of Animal Health Programs for the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.

“We are excited to have Dr. Peterson join our team at the IHRC,” said IHRC Executive Director Deena Pitman. “It is essential to have full-time guidance from a talented individual who has the necessary education and background to assist our agency in animal and safety welfare. Dr. Peterson will serve as an available regulatory resource in working with racing officials, practicing veterinarians and horsemen regarding current rules, proposed medication rules and assist the commission in navigating the safety and animal welfare issues being proposed nationally. This position is critical to Indiana maintaining the high level of integrity and standards we have built within our racing industry over the years,”

In her role as Equine Medical Director, Peterson will be providing oversight for all IHRC-related veterinary and equine health needs including testing procedures, compliance, enforcement of commission regulations and spearheading new programs affecting equine welfare. She will be dividing her time between Indiana's two pari-mutual tracks as well as the IHRC's Indianapolis office and can be contacted at KePeterson@hrc.IN.gov.

“I'm excited to join the Indiana Horse Racing Commission as their Equine Medical Director,” Peterson said. “Horse racing has always been a passion of mine. I'm looking forward to working with the Indiana horse racing industry stakeholders to help improve the safety and welfare of the horses and the integrity of the sport.”

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Keeneland to Celebrate Summer With Breakfast at the Track

Keeneland will host a number of activities at the iconic race track this summer, led by Breakfast at the Track, a new Keeneland Crafted event for the public to be held Saturday, June 19 and Saturday, July 10 from 8-10:30 a.m. ET.

An outdoor event, Breakfast at the Track will allow guests to experience the beauty of Thoroughbreds working over Keeneland's main track while enjoying an array of unique breakfast offerings created by Keeneland Hospitality, highlighted by Buckles Mini Carrot Cake Jacks and a Doughnut Hole Bar for children, as well as a Breakfast Burrito, Everything Bagel Sandwich and more. This family-friendly outing also features pony rides for kids, Paddock Demonstrations from equine partners and interactive equine-themed experiences for all ages.

Tickets for both the June and July Breakfast at the Track events are now on sale at tickets.Keeneland.com. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children and include admission and unlimited breakfast options. Tickets must be purchased in advance of the event.

“Keeneland is excited to open our gates and welcome the community back to the track,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “This will be a fantastic summer as we reconnect with family, friends and those special places in our lives. Breakfast at the Track is a fitting way for Keeneland to show its appreciation for our fans and to thank them for their continued support and enthusiasm, particularly during this past year.”

In addition to Breakfast at the Track, the Keeneland Crafted event lineup includes a Belt Making Workshop presented by Keeneland Mercantile to be held Wednesday, June 30 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres and bourbon cocktails while artisans from Kentucky's fine leather craftsmen Clayton & Crume explain the techniques of creating authentic handmade leather belts–from cutting the strap to beveling, burnishing edges and securing solid brass hardware. Each guest will receive a handcrafted leather belt.

Tickets are $108 per person and go on sale Friday, June 4 at 10 a.m. at keenelandmercantile.com.

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Hartman Named RTIP Chair

Robert Hartman has been named the new chair of the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program. A graduate of the program himself, Hartman has held marketing and management positions at the New York Racing Association, Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields. His previous experience also includes serving as the Associate Athletic Director at the University of California, Berkeley and CEO of the American Contract Bridge League.

“A traditional on-campus four-year education experience may not be the right fit for some prospective RTIP students,” Hartman said. “We need to meet students where they are by developing offerings tailored to fit their needs. We will explore ideas such as additional remote learning opportunities, certificate programs, international programs and continuing education programs.”

He continued, “Listening to the needs of racing industry stakeholders will be an important first step as we begin to reshape the program. The Global Symposium on Racing has been the premier industry gathering for the exchange of ideas and best practices. We plan to continue to build on that success.”

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Essential Quality Draws Post Two in Belmont

Godolphin's Essential Quality (Tapit) will break from post two and was installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite when post positions were drawn Tuesday morning for Saturday's GI Belmont S. The Brad Cox trainee suffered the first loss of his career when fourth in the GI Kentucky Derby, but had previously been undefeated in five starts and was named last year's champion 2-year-old male.

“He ran what I thought was a winning race in the Derby; he didn't have the trip, but he showed up and he's been improving in every start,” said Cox, who will be saddling his first Belmont Stakes runner. “I'm confident that he can handle the mile and a half. Just based off his works and his races, he's very steady and doesn't seem to get tired. He has a tremendous amount of stamina that I think he was just blessed with based on his pedigree. Luis [Saez] has a ton of confidence in the colt and he's confident Essential Quality can get the distance. We're hopefully set up for a big race Saturday.”

Breaking just to the outside of the morning-line favorite in the eight-horse Belmont is John and Diane Fradkin's Rombauer (Twirling Candy). Winner of the May 15 GI Preakness S., the colt will break from post three and is 3-1 on the morning line. One stall further out in the four-hole is Derby third finisher Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow), who was installed as the 7-2 third choice. The fourth choice at 9-2 is expected pacemaker GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby hero Rock Your World (Candy Ride {Arg}), who drew post seven.

“In an ideal world, we wanted to be to the outside of Rock Your World since he figures to be leaving there pretty hard, but that didn't happen,” said Doug O'Neill, trainer of Hot Rod Charlie. “We're just grateful to be in the gate and to have [Flavien] Prat and to have the horse doing well … I think it's a very evenly-matched crop. You could throw a blanket over about 10 of them on any given day that could jump up and leave the group. I'm biased of course, but I think 'Charlie' is top-tier.”

Todd Pletcher will saddle three of the eight in the 1 1/2-mile Classic, with rail-drawn GII Wood Memorial S. upsetter Bourbonic (Bernardini, 15-1), GI Curlin Florida Derby scorer Known Agenda (Curlin, 6-1) in post six and Overtook (Curlin) widest out in the eight-hole at 20-1. Japanese hope France Go de Ina (Will Take Charge) is the longest shot on the morning line at 30-1 and will break from post five.

“I don't think the post positions matter so much with my three,” said Pletcher. “I think, of all the Triple Crown events, post position is least important here, especially in an eight-horse field. I was happy with all the posts. I think the real key is we need an honest pace and there are three of four horses in here who will try to be prominently placed early and if they set an honest pace, I think that will help all three of mine.”

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