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Horse Racing Women’s Summit Topics, Speakers Announced

The second annual Horse Racing Women's Summit, to be held Sept. 27-29 at Santa Anita, will include three panel discussions, morning and luncheon keynotes and a Friday morning workshop.

Zoe Cadman, XBTV and 1/ST RACING Host and Analyst, will serve as the emcee for the event, which will kick off with a keynote from Reagan Cannon, an international leadership speaker and coach. Following the morning keynote, leaders at the front line of industry change will gather for a discussion on the State of the Industry, moderated by Millie Ball, XBTV and 1/ST RACING simulcast host.

State of the Industry featured speakers are: Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin; horse racing reporter Britney Eurton; HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus; and equine veterinarian Casille Batten.

The second panel, titled Running the Show, will feature a conversation among industry professionals in various facets of management from racetracks across the county. Moderator Michelle Yu will guide the panelists through a discussion focused on their careers, the ins-and-outs of racetrack management, current events, and their outlook on the future.

“I am a firm believer in the philosophy that 'a rising tide raises all ships' and this sport is so much better when we are able to come together, elevate and support each other,” said Jessica Paquette, Parx Racing announcer and Running the Show panelist. “I am honored to join so many women I respect in the industry for an event that is sure to be educational and empowering.”

Other Running the Show featured speakers are: SVP and General Counsel, Sports and Entertainment at New York Racing Association Joi Garner; SVP, Operations and Administration DMTC Ann Hall; and SVP and Executive Producer for Santa Anita Amy Zimmerman.

The third panel discussion, led by FanDuel TV's Christina Blacker and titled Looking Forward, will delve into a variety of topics including diversity, mental health, the backstretch community, and how the industry can improve.

Karen Chavez, General Manager of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, who will join the Looking Forward panel said, “Attending the HRWS Meet Up in Saratoga was an inspiring experience that showcased the power of connection and empowerment within the horse racing industry, leaving a positive and lasting impact on the women of the backstretch community. I am excited to be on a panel at the second Horse Racing Women's Summit at Santa Anita Park, and continuing to build on the momentum that began one year ago.”

Looking Forward speakers also include: trainer and equestrian Chanel Minnifield; Los Angeles Chargers CAO Catherine Iste; and Amplify Horse Racing executive director Annise Montplaisir.

Friday's hands-on workshop is designed to identify areas of focus and specific action items for the Horse Racing Women's Summit Committee in 2024.

Tickets for the Horse Racing Women's Summit can be purchased here.

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Beth Bungert Named KHRC Safety Steward

Beth Bungert has been named by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to the new position of safety steward. The position was created in June to ensure compliance of both Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and KHRC standards and rules at the state's licensed Thoroughbred racetracks and training centers. As safety steward, Bungert will monitor regulatory and safety compliance and ensure that information is being shared with all parties.

In her 20-year career in racing, Bungert has worked as a groom, exercise rider, veterinary assistant, assistant trainer, racing official and program director at several Kentucky racetracks.

“Safety is the responsibility of everyone involved in racing,” said Jamie Eads, executive director of the KHRC. “Centralized communication between officials, racing participants and track management is a key aspect of both safety and compliance. We're excited to have Beth join us, because she is someone who understands daily operations and can identify potential improvements in safety protocol. And, importantly, she is a long-time horsewoman who cares about the safety of the sport.”

Bungert added, “This position is the culmination of a career on the racetrack. I have been involved in almost every aspect of racing and look forward to bringing those experiences together for the safety of both horse and rider.”

The safety steward will make recommendations to racetrack management and regulators for the welfare of horses and riders, integrity of racing and compliance with horse racing laws and regulations.

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With Saratoga Slumping, National Handle off 7.3% in August

Betting on U.S. horse racing had its worst month so far this year in August as handle fell by $87,216,418 when compared to August 2022 figures. The decline was 7.3%, the sharpest drop in a month since December 2022.

A total of $1,107,146,014 was bet on the sport during this August, while the 2022 handle figure was $1,194,362,432. In month-over-month figures, it was the sharpest drop since December when handle fell by 7.52%.

While the Saratoga meet spills over in to July and September, the majority of it is run in August. That handle fell so sharply, by 9.0%, during the meet at Saratoga, no doubt impacted the national figures. While national handle was off by $87 million in August, handle for the Saratoga meet alone fell by $78,982,675.

The monthly Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators report issued each month by Equibase continues to offer bad news when it comes to the handle front. Through August, handle is off 4.09% for the year. It has also fallen for six straight months after posting a slight increase in March.

As is often the case when the monthly reports come out, there was good news on the purse front. While the total amount of purse money paid out was virtually identical to August, 2022 numbers, the average available purses per race day figure was $324,561, a 12.62% increase from last year. For the year, $819,846,264 in purses have been paid out. In the category of average available purses per race day, that number has risen by 10%.

Average field size has actually shown a slight increase this year, going from 7.18 starters per race to 7.30.

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Pappacap Retired, to Stand at Walmac Farm

Grade II winner Pappacap (Gun Runner), has been retired and will stand the 2024 breeding season at Gary Broad's Walmac Farm in Lexington, KY, the farm announced on Tuesday. His fee will be $12,500, stands and nurses.

In three seasons for Hall of Famer Mark Casse, Pappacap amassed a career line of 12-2-4-2 for earnings of $842,430. In addition to capturing the 2021 GII Best Pal S. at Del Mar, he was second in the GI TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile and GI American Pharoah S. behind champion Corniche (Quality Road). He also placed in three other graded stakes, including last year's GI Woody Stephens S.

The George and Karen Russell homebred is out of the Grade III-placed Scat Daddy Mare Pappascat and is a half-brother to Grade III winner Boppy O (Bolt d'Oro) and hails from the family of Group 1 winner and Peruvian Horse of the Year Al Qasr (Aptitude).

For more information, contact Walmac Farm.

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