Untitled - Race Track Industry Program

FROM THE BEGINNING
The formation of the University of Arizona Race
Track Industry Program (RTIP) began in the early
1970’s when a group spearheaded by the late Frank
Vessels, Jr. of Los Alamitos Race Course embarked
upon the concept of a collegiate program to train
young men and women to become future leaders in
the racing industry.
Many ask why the program is based in Tucson. It
was the desire of the founders that the program be
located in a state with year-round racing, with both
horse and greyhound interests, and at a land grant
institution. Several universities around the country
were contacted with none expressing genuine
interest until the University of Arizona’s College
of Agriculture consented to try it on a trial period
of five years.
Resources provided by the American Quarter
Horse Association Racing Department helped the
University get the program started. Financial
commitments from a number of organizations in
the industry provided the seed money and the
Race Track Industry Program’s first class was
offered in January of 1974.
A significant program implemented
during the first year was that
of a seminar designed to
bring industry leaders
to campus for exchange of information and to
benefit the students’ understanding of racing.
The first Symposium was held in December of
1974 and attracted approximately 45 people.
Held annually since then, the event has gained
worldwide recognition and attracts attendees
representing racing interests from across the
United States and the world.
Just as the founders of the program envisioned,
RTIP students still play an important role at
the Symposium and are afforded a unique
opportunity to meet and interact with many of
the industry’s best known and respected leaders.
Few other educational programs provide this
kind of access and networking with the industry
that employs its students.
The Race Track Industry Program is the only
program of its kind offering a Bachelor and
Master of Science degree centered on the
racing industry. It offers two paths of study;
one preparing students for race track
management, regulation or pari-mutuel
racing organizations, the other preparing
students for employment in areas dealing
with racing and breeding animals.
RTIP
AND THE #GRANDSLAM15
TRIPLE CROWN ATTENTION ON THE
RACE TRACK INDUSTRY PROGRAM
It’s been so close so many times before;
Triple Crown hopes and dreams riding along
with the horses over the Belmont Park oval.
It seemed like the racing world might have
seen its last Triple Crown winner with
Affirmed in 1978. But then American
Pharoah came to town.
RTIP alum Bob Baffert had been there
himself with horses poised to be the next
Triple Crown winner, first in 1997 with Silver
Charm, then the very next year with Real
Quiet (getting nosed at the wire) and in 2002
with the heartbreak of War Emblem when he
stumbled badly at the start of the Belmont.
In 2015, Baffert and Pharoah made it look
easy and the racing world finally had what it
had been waiting for. Thanks to the Zayat’s
sportsmanship and an incredible program
by Baffert, American Pharoah would stay in
training and add an exclamation point to a
stellar career by winning the Breeders’
Cup Classic.
Racing now has a new
challenge, a new bar to be
reached, it’s been coined the
Grand Slam of racing and the
RTIP could not be more proud
that it was Bob Baffert who
met that challenge.
Photo credit:
Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com
However, there are other
graduates, such as Todd
Pletcher, who bring great
attention to the program
especially during the Triple
Crown trail – so much attention
that the RTIP was the subject
of an in-depth article in USA
Today. The following is an
excerpt from that piece.
Baffert’s love of the UA is reflected in the names of his horses: Midnight Lute, Da Stoops and Candrea
were all nods to UA coaches, while Lady Regina was named for the wife of athletic director Greg Byrne.
Bob Baffert and Todd
Pletcher, the two primary
Team American Pharoah celebrates in the Preakness Winner’s Circle
human figures in Saturday’s
Photo credit: Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com
Belmont Stakes, have almost
been omnipresent in major
races from coast-to-coast
But its two best-known graduates will
over the last 15 years. Their barns annually
go head-to-head Saturday when Baffert
churn out multiple prospects for the Triple
brings American Pharoah to Belmont Park
Crown, and they have ranked among the top
with a chance to become racing’s 12th
three trainers in North American earnings
Triple Crown winner, while Pletcher tries
every year since 2009.
to keep that accomplishment vacant for a
But Baffert and Pletcher have something
else in common: Degrees from the University of Arizona and a passion for Wildcats
basketball.
Though it is barely known outside of
the racing world, Arizona’s Race Track
Industry Program — the only one of its
kind in the U.S. — has pollinated every
level of the sport with its graduates. Its
alumni list includes racing secretaries,
track managers, simulcast coordinators, racehorse auction company
presidents, breeding farm
executives and even the
race and sports book supervisor of a major Las
Vegas casino.
Photo credit: Tony Leonard
“I grew up loving the University of Arizona when I was 8, 9, 10 years
old,” he said. “It was great entertainment to come and watch them
and root for somebody. There’s nothing like having a favorite team.
There’s nothing like having a rooting interest; (it’s) like having a
rooting interest in a horse that you own, or you love.”
37th consecutive year with Materiality and
Madefromlucky.
“It is a small niche program and kind of
always has been,” said program director
Doug Reed, who has worked at Arizona
since 1994. “There are a lot of well-known
executives on the racing industry side, but
they don’t get the publicity and TV time that
Baffert and Pletcher do. Bob was wearing
his U of A hat during Derby week, and we
got inundated with calls.”
racing secretary at Louisiana Downs and a
graduate of the Arizona program, suggested
he check out Tucson.
“I had already decided I wanted to train
horses for a living, so it made sense to go to
a college that at least had something to do
with the industry,” Pletcher said. “I flew out
to Tucson in December of my senior year, and
if you’ve been there that time of year, it’s a
pretty nice place to be.
“Having grown up on the backside, you kind
of know this part of it, but the cool thing about
the program at Arizona is a lot of it is frontside
management, and it gives you a little different
perspective on how that operates.”
Baffert, who grew up two hours south of
Tucson on the border in Nogales, also knew
early on he wanted to train horses. But his
decision to attend Arizona had less to do with
the program – which was just getting off the
ground when he entered college – and was
instead based on proximity.
“That was the only option to go up there. It
was either that or (Arizona State) — and we
don’t like ASU,” Baffert quipped. “The racetrack management program, they had just
brought it in so I took some of those courses.
It was fun and all that, but in the back of my
mind I wanted to be a horse trainer.
“I had to go to school because of my mother.
She had to make sure we
graduated. She always
said when I started training
horses, ‘When are you going
to get a real job?’”
In many ways, their educational backgrounds cut against stereotypes commonly
associated with horsemen, many of whom
entered the business as teenagers and
worked their way up from low-level jobs like
cleaning out stalls or walking hots.
Pletcher, whose father Jake was a trainer
on the Midwest circuit, said he would
have likely gone straight to work without
his parents’ insistence on getting a
college education. Pat Pope, then the
2
Back-to-Back Derby Winners: Baffert poses with
his first two Derby winners and Triple Crown hopefuls,
Silver Charm and Real Quiet.
American Pharoah takes to the track before the Haskell at Monmouth Park
Photo credit: Monmouth Park
The potential for getting
a so-called “real job” is
exactly why the program was
created in the early 1970s by
a group of executives who
noticed the lack of people in
the industry with degrees.
They pitched the idea to
several major universities,
but Arizona’s school of
agriculture was the only one
to express interest — even
though there’s no major
Thoroughbred track in
the state. – cont. page 29
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RTIP & #GrandSlam15
2
Mentor Luncheon 2014
4
UA Equine Center
6
Joe Hirsch Speaker Forum
8
Horsin’ Around
10
Student Profiles
12
Happy Minute Stakes
21
Executive in Residence
21
RTIP People & Achievements
22
Bulletin Board
24
Summer Internships
26
Rillito Park Racetrack
30
Advisory Council
32
PUBLISHED BY:
The University of Arizona
Race Track Industry Program
845 N. Park Ave., Suite 370
Tucson, AZ 85721
Phone: 520.621.5660
Fax: 520.621.8239
ua-rtip.org
RTIP PROGRAM FACULTY/STAFF:
F. Douglas Reed, Director
Wendy Davis, Associate Coordinator
Elizabeth Bracken, Associate Coordinator
Betty Prewitt, Administrative Assistant
Denise Pharris, Marketing Specialist
Paul Estok, Adjunct Lecturer
Dean Hoffman, Adjunct Lecturer
3
MENTOR
LUNCHEON 2014
Each year during the annual Global Symposium on Racing & Gaming, students have the opportunity to participate in the
Mentor Luncheon. This event brings students together with industry professionals and provides a critical link for them, as the
real-life information provided by the mentors often puts scholastic knowledge into context. The opportunities to be in a oneon-one situation with industry leaders (often alumni) allow the students to gain insights and focus on their personal goals.
Joe Mishak and mentor Elizabeth Merryman
Youngjin Lee and mentor Scott Finley
Mentor Richard Moore and Sandra Childress
Autumn Charley and mentor Joe Harper
Mentor Amy Zimmerman and
McLane Hendriks
Francesca LeDonne and mentor Jay Privman
Will Knowles and mentor Scott Wells
Joseph M. Asher
CEO, William Hill US
Mentor Jim
son
d Elise Jack
Goodman an
Rick Baedeker
Mentor Mike Weiss and Amy Euler
Executive Director, California Horse
Racing Board
Michael Campbell
President, Illinois Thoroughbred
Horsemen’s Association, Inc.
Cris Carper
President & COO,
Horse Races Now
Dr. Jennifer Durenberger
COO, Racing Matters
Jahnae Erpenbach
Vice President & General
Manager of Gaming, Hoosier Park
Racing & Casino
Scott Finley
International Racing Consultant
4
Jim Goodman
Director, Mutuels & Simulcasting
Keeneland Association Inc.
Joe Harper
President & CEO, Del Mar
Thoroughbred Club
Matt Hegarty
Reporter, Daily Racing Form
Debbie Howells
Director of Racing, Presque Isle
Downs & Casino
Elizabeth Merryman
Horse Trainer, Owner and Breeder,
Londonderry Farm Inc.
Richard B. Moore
Vice President & General
Manager of Racing, Hoosier
Park Racing & Casino
Laura Plato
Operations Director
HBPA – National
Jay Privman
Michael Weiss
General Manager, Rillito Park
Race Track
Scott Wells
President and General Manager,
Remington Park
Rose Mary Williams
National Correspondent,
Daily Racing Form
Senior Director of Racing,
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack
& Resort
Yenni Vance
Amy Zimmerman
Digital Communications and Social
Media Director, Remington Park
Students and mentors enjoying lunch and good conversation
Jason Wittler
Vice President, Director of
Broadcasting, Stronach Group
and mentor De
bbie Howells
Honore Bremer and mentor Rose Mary Williams
5
Horse Sense
As I led the bay thoroughbred filly through the cloud of dust in the covered round pen, I struggled to remember a time when I didn’t know how
to send her off with a point and swing of the rope or slow her excited
canter with a few deliberate steps in front of her drive line. We fell into
the rhythm with a mutual understanding that I couldn’t imagine having
with a person, let alone a horse, when I first began my hands-on classes
at the UA Equine Center.
I have always loved animals, particularly horses, and longed for a career
working with them. There was just one problem: I had zero experience.
The knowledge gap between myself and my peers felt like the Grand
Canyon, but I was willing to work hard to overcome it in my pursuit of
a career in thoroughbred breeding. That’s where the hands-on classes
came in.
The Development and Training of the Weanling class taught me patience, as working with young horses in any capacity often does. My
assigned colt struggled with claustrophobia, which made loading him
onto a trailer difficult and any second spent in a stall a nightmare. I took
my time with him, easing him into trailer loading by doing lap after lap
through the barn and over the practice ramp in the dry lot until eventually
he loaded with aplomb. Our bond continued into the Development and
Training of the Yearling class, in which I learned persistence as I asked
him time and time again to open his clenched mouth and accept the bit.
The sense of accomplishment I felt while watching him trot tranquilly
under saddle for the first time was overwhelming.
xxx
We had both come such a long way in such a short period of time, and it
gave me hope for the future.
The final class in the sequence, Sales Preparation of the Thoroughbred
Prospect, consists of preparing horses for the ATBA Fall Mixed Sale.
We began the semester with gangly, awkward youngsters and turned
them into sleek athletes through strict conditioning. Though there are
lectures, most of the learning occurs in the round pen and the dry lot,
where both horse and handler perfect their showmanship skills and
presentation. Entering the class off of the Weanling and Yearling classes
earned me status as a “veteran,” which was a word I never thought
would describe me. I still struggled alongside my classmates as the
overzealous yearlings tested our patience, but my past experiences
taught me to maintain my calm and handle their tantrums with an “I’m
not mad, I’m just disappointed” attitude.
I didn’t think it was possible to obtain a lifetime of experience in three
semesters, and it’s not. What the classes did give me, however, was a
strong foundation that I can build upon as I transition out of the classroom and into the industry. My confidence has gone through the roof,
and I now see my knowledge gap as a crack in the pavement rather
than a canyon.
The moment the hammer falls on the last of our consignment will be
bittersweet. It will mean the end of my hands-on classes but the start
of our horses’ next chapters. I hope they’ll go on to do great things, and
wherever I go, I will take my memories of the nervous little colt I saddled
in Yearling class and the eager bay filly I conditioned in Sales Prep class
with me. —Hillary Neese
Hillary showing to a prospective buyer
2015 ATBA Sale
The “final exam” – for both horses and students – in the
Sales Prep course is the ATBA Sale. Nine students, along
with a teaching assistant, presented the UA’s consignment
and received many comments on the excellent job they’d
done prepping the horses for the sale.
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photo
Kacee Adams instructs students in the arena
Julia works with her yearling
Autumn leads an Arabian
Buyers checking out
weanling in the Development and
a UA prospect
Training of the Weanling class
Autumn working with a foal
The horses foaled at the University of Arizona Equine Center don’t have a long wait to “get enrolled” in college courses. They
are an integral part of the hands-on classes offered at the UA and a favorite part of the curriculum that makes up the RTIP Equine
Management path. Some students have been a part of the entire process of breeding and foaling out a mare, training her foal as it
grows up, taking it through the yearling sale, to watching it compete at the track.
6
UA EQUINE
CENTER
7
JOE HIRSCH
SPEAKER FORUM
Presented by the Daily Racing Form
Sean Frisby discusses the uses of social media data
THANK YOU TO
THE FOLLOWING
SPEAKERS:
Don Ahrens
Director of Security and Parking,
Sam Houston Racetrack
Alan Foreman
Chairman and CEO, Thoroughbred
Horsemen’s Association Inc.
Sean Frisby
Founder, Principal, and Chief Brand
Ambassador, BrandTenet
John Imbriale
Alan Foreman shares a light moment with students before the regulatory class
NYRA Director of Television
Production
Arthur Maberry discusses equine insurance issues with RTIP students
Leslie Janecka
Bill Nader via Skype
Coordinator, Kentucky Equine
Management Internship (KEMI)
Steve Keech
President, AmTote
International, Inc.
Bennett Liebman
Attorney, Albany Law School
Arthur Maberry
Andreini & Company
Scot Waterman relaxes with students before tackling drug testing issues
Sophia McKee
Executive in Residence Youngjin Lee
speaks to lawyer and racing historian
Bennett Liebman
Gary West offered great insight into the sports
world and racing’s place in it
Sophia McKee encouraged creative thinking
when planning marketing campaigns
Leslie Janecka gives an overview of the Kentucky Equine Management Leadership Program (KEMI)
Returning speaker Andrew Turro poses
with students after discussing strategies
for career and life success
Vice President of Marketing,
Emerald Downs
Bill Nader (via Skype)
Executive Director, Hong Kong
Jockey Club
Greg Nichols (via Skype)
Board Member, Victoria
Racing Board
Romund Otsbo
Racing Secretary, Norway
Chance Timm
Director of Stallion Seasons
and Shares, Lane’s End Farm
Andrew Turro
Lawyer, Meyer, Suozzi,
English & Klein P.C.
Dr. Scot Waterman
DVM, Animal Medical and
Welfare Advisor for ADOR
Gary West
Member, National Turf Writers
and Broadcasters Association
SPEAKERS
8
2014/15
Real-World Meets the Classroom: Each semester, the RTIP brings guest lecturers into the classroom to provide
students with exceptional networking opportunities with the industry’s leaders. These professionals bring together their
expertise and real-world experiences and provide students a diversity of knowledge that enhances their time spent in
the Program.
9
Kassidie, Julia and Alexa before the ride
RTIP STUDENTS WELCOMED BACK
WITH A TRIP TO THE OLD WEST
Each fall, the RTIP hosts a welcome
back event for the students. It’s a
great way for everyone to reconnect
with friends after a summer of racing
and internships and welcome all the
new students into the program.
This year’s event went “old west”
at the White Stallion Guest Ranch
with a trail ride in the foothills of the
Tucson Mountains and a barbeque
dinner under the stars.
Students pose on unique barstools before the ride
RTIP riders hit the trail
“WHAT A GREAT WAY TO KICK OFF THE
SEMESTER AND GET TO KNOW ALL THE NEW
STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM”
Students enjoying the unique desert scenery
Although many associated with the program are avid riders, not all are–
there were even a couple of first-time-ever riders in the group. It was
a special treat to experience the beautiful Sonoran desert from the back
of a horse, especially for those new to the area.
From the “saddle-up-to-the-bar” bar stools to a traditional western
barbeque, students experienced old west hospitality at its finest.
First time starter
Aaron, on the
lead, looking
like a natural
Hangin’ out post-ride
Jason and Tess enjoying the evening
The White Stallion Guest Ranch, originally named the CB Bar Ranch, was built in the 1900’s and began as a cattle ranch.
The original property was constructed of Mexican adobe brick made of mud and straw. A small part of the original adobe is
exposed in the dining room, the original building on the ranch. The ranch maintains the traditions of the West along with one
of the largest privately owned herds of horses in Arizona and a large herd of cattle.
10
18
HORSIN’
AROUND
11
STUDENTS
CLAUDIA RENNEE ALVAREZ
SECOND DEGREE
HONORE BREMER
SECOND DEGREE
AARON BRUKMAN
SENIOR
AUTUMN CHARLEY
JUNIOR
SARAH CRANE
SENIOR
JULIA DEPUGH
JUNIOR
Home State: Arizona
Home State: Minnesota
Home State: California
Home State: New Mexico
Home State: Idaho
Home State: Arizona
After earning a degree in visual
communications from the University of
Arizona and completing a year towards
a Master of Science in Accounting at
Western International University,
Claudia found the Race Track Industry
Program. This motivated her to undertake a new direction in her academic
career and combine both her professional aspirations in business with her
personal interest with horses.
Honore comes from a racing family;
her parents have raised thoroughbreds
for twenty-five years. She continues to
assist with sales preparation of yearlings
and stallion selection for the broodmares,
and currently travels back and forth to
Minnesota as the stand-in farm manager
when her family travels.
Aaron is graduating with a racing and
business marketing degree this December.
He remembers going to Santa Anita and
Hollywood Park with his dad for all the
big races and spending as much of the
summer as possible at Del Mar. With no
connection to the racing industry outside
of that as a handicapper, Aaron never
thought he could have a career in racing
until finding the RTIP.
Growing up on the Navajo Reservation,
Autumn spent much of her time alongside her father raising and working with
horses.
Growing up in Boise, Idaho, Sarah spent
many of her summers at Les Bois Park
where her love for horse racing began.
At an early age she knew her life would
revolve around horses and racing.
Julia was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona.
Through her work with horses, she learned
the basic handling skills along with establishing the strong work ethic, dedication, and determination needed in working with horses.
She enjoys competing as well as touring
horse facilities while visiting various states.
Claudia is completing the equine
management option.
Although Honore has always loved horse
racing, she didn’t start with a career in
the industry. She first became a nurse and
worked in healthcare administration prior
to attending the University of Arizona.
Her family received TOBA’s Minnesota
breeders of the year award in both 2012
and 2013.
For the 2015 Rillito Park Racetrack season,
Honore worked in the racing office and
operated the photo finish and timing
equipment during live racing. She also
was the horsemen’s bookkeeper for the
2015 Sonoita Fair meet.
She interned with Canterbury Park in 2014
and Monarch Content Management the
summer of 2015.
12
2015/2016
The RTIP opened many doors for Aaron,
including giving him the opportunity to
work as the assistant racing secretary and
chart caller at the Santa Cruz County Fair
Grounds in Arizona for their annual 2014
and 2015 meets. He also spent the summer
interning in the marketing department at
Del Mar, and worked at Rillito Park this
past Spring as their track handicapper
and co-morning line maker.
Aaron also interned at the Alameda County
Fair during their Oak Tree at Pleasanton
meet. Aaron really enjoyed the Pleasanton
meet because he was able to learn so
much in such a short period of time while
getting an insider’s view of a live horse
racing meet, from start to finish.
Aside from thoroughbred racing, much of
her experience comes from cattle drives,
trail rides, endurance races, wild horse
round-ups, and watching her uncles train
and start young horses. She intended to
pursue a degree in veterinary sciences
until she discovered the RTIP.
Her focus is on the animal management
aspect to the industry. She intends to
pursue a career in breeding and genetics,
where she hopes to be able to work with
some of the best breeding farms in the
country.
Over the summer Autumn participated in
a laboratory research internship at the
University of Washington focusing on
converting woody biomass into ethanol.
Although that lab research was not
focused toward her major, she gained
many technical laboratory techniques and
applied what she learned to how animals
are able to breakdown sugars feed and
convert it into energy.
Sarah has owned thoroughbred racehorses, raised foals and prepped them
for sales. She’s had the privilege of being
a licensed clocker, identifier and stable
groom. In addition to working at the
racetrack, she’s also experienced in the
breaking and training of up and coming
thoroughbred and quarter horses.
For the 2015 Rillito Park Racetrack season,
Sarah was the director of admissions,
supervising a staff of 10. She has been
asked to join the management team for
the 2016 spring meet.
Sarah’s interests are in regulation and
integrity within the sport. During the summer,
Sarah attended and completed the Racing
Officials Accreditation Program held at Los
Alamitos, interned with the state stewards
for the Los Alamitos thoroughbred meet
as well as the state investigators during
the Del Mar meet. She intends to pursue a
career with a regulatory agency.
When in Kentucky at a national horse
show, she spent her free time touring the
prestigious Three Chimneys Farm as well
as Churchill Downs and Keeneland Race
Course. Touring the Blue Grass State
increased her excitement and admiration of
the horse racing industry.
Julia was awarded a scholarship through
the American Quarter Horse Association
that included the Youth Racing Experience in
Dallas, Texas during the Challenge Championship races. Julia worked with trainers and
their racehorses at Lone Star Park and came
away with an understanding of the hard work
that’s put in to making a competitive racing
athlete. The trip also included a trip to JEH
Stallion Station.
Julia is currently enrolled in the equine
management path of the RTIP.
13
Opportunities for RTIP Students: Students have the
opportunity to meet with speakers before they make
presentations in class. These meetings help students find
out about job and internship opportunities, as well as
more information about the industry in general.
Jaye Wells, director of the Rillito Park Foundation, chats with students
ERIN DOTY-MCQUAID
JUNIOR
SOPHOMORE
NICK FANUCCHI
FRESHMAN
MITCHELL GERSON
SOPHOMORE
NATHAN GROSSMAN
SOPHOMORE
ASHLEY HENTGES
SOPHOMORE
Home State: California
Home State: Arizona
Home State: California
Home State: Florida
Home State: New York
Home State: Arizona
Erin grew up attending racing at the
county fair and has loved it for as long as
she can remember. She was lucky enough
to have a few horses of her own while
growing up in rural Sonoma County.
By the time she was old enough to drive,
she frequently visited Bay Meadows during
their summer meet. This was where Erin
experienced her first love of a race horse;
Lost in the Fog. After Bay Meadows
closed you could often find her at Golden
Gate Fields. There was no other place she
would rather be than at the track.
Amy is a native Tucsonan who enjoys
everything and all things UA. She loves
animals of all varieties but recently has
been drawn to horses and racing.
Nick comes from a family involved in
horse racing; his Aunt, Barbara Banke,
and Uncle, Jess Jackson, started Stonestreet Farms in 2005. Even though 2007
saw the acquisition of Curlin, who would
later became a two-time horse of the year,
it wasn’t until the 2009 Preakness, that
Nick caught the horse racing “bug” and
became a big fan.
Mitchell was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. At age 13, his uncle
taught him how to handicap and immediately sparked his interest in the sport. On
weekends, he would watch and handicap
races with his dad and uncles at a nearby
off-track betting parlor.
Nathan grew up in a family immersed in
the horse business. He has been exposed
to most every facet of the horse industry
through jobs at commercial race horse
breeding farms and also on the road with
the racing and jumping divisions of Blue
Chip Farms. He has had the good fortune
of working closely with, and learning
from, several of the very best practitioners of a variety of services to the racing
industry.
Ashley’s love for horses started young.
She has been riding horses since she was
four years old and has ridden in several
different disciplines, from basic flat work
to jumping and western.
After more than a decade working in
retail support, administration and human
resources, Erin decided that she didn’t
want a job that she liked; she wanted a
career she loved. And there isn’t anything
that Erin loves more than racing. Erin followed that love to Arizona from Hawaii, a
huge sacrifice, but one that she knows will
be worth it. Erin wants to be one of those
people who are lucky enough to say that
they love what they do.
14
AMY EULER
Erin is in her first year in the RTIP and is
still honing in on the exact area she would
like to focus.
Over the summer, Amy had the opportunity
to visit Del Mar Race Track, meet Bob
Baffert and feed American Pharoah
carrots!! This event made her more
excited and eager to learn more about
the racing world and get involved in this
fun and fast paced sport.
As a student studying the equine path
of the RTIP, Amy is also eager to try
the hands-on classes at the farm and
participate in internships over the
summer and work with quality trainers
and, of course, horses.
Nick grew up as a huge sports fan in a
small town in the wine country about 60
miles north of San Francisco. As a kid,
Nick always wanted to do something in
sports. He would go, as often as possible,
to Candlestick Park with his cousin to see
the 49ers play in San Francisco. When
his aunt invited him to the Breeders’ Cup
in 2012, he was thrilled. Shortly after Fort
Larned edged out Mucho Macho Man, he
decided that THIS was HIS sport.
Last summer, Nick had the opportunity
to learn the ropes at the yearling farm. He
was also able to spend a month in Saratoga and walk Rock Fall in to the winner’s
circle after the Grade 1 Vanderbilt.
Fascinated by the equine athlete itself,
and wanting to learn more about the
breed as a whole, Mitchell contacted
thoroughbred trainer Charles Simon
and asked for a job in his stable. During
the summers of 2013 and 2014, Mitchell
worked for Simon as a hotwalker at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. Simon, an alumni of the Race Track Industry
Program, encouraged him to look into The
University of Arizona and the RTIP.
In the Fall of 2015, as a sophomore,
Mitchell transferred from The University of North Florida to The University of
Arizona. He is still passionate about the
sport and its athletes. Upon completion
of the program, he hopes to work in the
thoroughbred racing industry.
His experiences include broodmare
management, stallion collections,
young horse breaking and development,
assistant training, complete management
and placement of a racing stable among
several different trainers, as well as the
development of a profitable form cycle
handicapping product.
She discovered the horse racing world
when in fifth grade and convinced her
parents to take her to Arlington Park.
Soon after, she decided she wanted to be
part of the horse racing industry. Since
coming to the University of Arizona she
has begun to seriously think about what
part of the thoroughbred industry she
wants to be a part of, and has taken a
keen interest in the breeding aspect.
Nathan continues to explore the
opportunities that are at the crossroad
of hands-on, traditional roles and his
knowledge of the business side of
several equine industries.
15
A Strong Alumni Network keeps in touch with
each other and assists current students with jobs
and internships.
RTIP alumni enjoy Charles Town Classic Day
ANNA HIBBARD
SENIOR
SOPHOMORE
ELISE JACKSON
JUNIOR
WILL KNOWLES
SECOND DEGREE
FRANCESCA LE DONNE
SENIOR
Home State: Arizona
Home State: Nebraska
Home State: Tennessee
Home State: Washington
Home State: New Jersey
Anna was raised in Kingman, Arizona.
She was lucky enough to board horses at
the fairgrounds where races were held
for two weeks every year. She began
working with the racehorses and eventually trainers began to let her gallop in the
off-season when she was still in grade
school. She got her license when she
turned 16 and worked at her home-track
until the Arizona fair circuit ended.
Kassidie was born and raised in Nebraska,
where her family first got involved in the
racing business.
Elise grew up in a small suburb of Nashville, Tennessee and has always been interested in the equine industry. She spent
her summers riding on family ranches and
helping out as often as possible. She came
to the University of Arizona to broaden her
horizons as well as attend the RTIP. Her
interest for racing began just before high
school when she attended her first live
meet at Keeneland and has been hooked
ever since.
Will is originally from Seattle, Washington.
His love of horse racing began during high
school with frequent visits to Longacres
Racetrack outside of Seattle. Will has a
strong interest in racetrack operations as
well as the gaming industry and its growth
within the horse racing industry. He is in
his second year of the Race Track Industry
Program where he is following the business path.
Francesca spent this past summer in
New Jersey interning as the marketing
assistant at her home track, Monmouth
Park. She hit the jackpot of internships,
as her top responsibilities included
coordinating, facilitating and promoting the
2015 Haskell Invitational featuring Triple
Crown winner, American Pharoah. Haskell
weekend featured the event “Pharoah
Phan Phestival” where she played a key
role in the three days of American Pharoah
themed events.
Since beginning the RTIP, Anna has spent
two summers working for Hamilton Smith
at Colonial Downs as part of their Kids to
Colonial program. She also spent time at
Diana McClure’s DMC Stable working on
the farm for rehabilitating, breaking, and
training racehorses.
In 2015 she worked in the Rillito Park
racing office and parlayed that experience
into a summer internship in the racing
office at Hollywood Casino at Charles
Town Race Track.
She is interested in training, raising young
horses, retirement, and racing law.
16
KASSIDIE HULSE
In 2012, Kassidie and her family moved to
Kentucky where she attended The North
American Racing Academy (NARA). While
attending NARA, she had the opportunity
to work at the Hall of Champions at the
Kentucky Horse Park, work the September
Keeneland Sale, and tour farms all around
the area.
Kassidie graduated from NARA in 2014 with
an associate’s degree in equine science.
Since then her family has expanded their
family farm where Kassidie has experience
in foaling, sales prepping, and training.
Her family stable’s best accomplishment
is winning a Grade III and setting a track
record at Ellis Park. Kassidie’s interest in
the racetrack management, marketing,
and the training aspect of the industry is
what led her to Arizona. Her goal after
graduation is to work at a track in a
management or marketing position.
Elise has an interest in regulation, racetrack management, public relations, as
well as the breeding side of the industry.
Her goal after graduation is to work in one
of these areas at a facility in Kentucky or
California.
Will worked as horsemen’s bookkeeper
at Rillito Park in Tucson during the 2015
spring meet. He completed his Master
of Science in Agricultural and Resource
Economics at the University of Arizona
and also speaks Spanish after working in
South America for over two years. Will is
excited with the opportunity to continue
learning about horse racing and the goal
of achieving a career within the industry.
This summer was a once in a lifetime
experience for Francesca and furthered
her interest in the marketing and promotion
of horse racing.
During the 2015 Rillito Park Racetrack
season, Francesca worked as the assistant
to the director of admissions. She was
also responsible for launching the track’s
official social media presence.
Francesca would like to pursue her interest in the marketing side of the racetrack
and try new and innovative ideas that will
attract more to the sport and make going
to the track for the day an experience to
remember.
17
First-Year RTIP’ers meet with returning students
who share their experiences and wisdom on “how
to get the most out of the Program” during
informal gatherings at the RTIP offices.
2015 Welcome Back Pizza Party
JOSEPH LONGO
GRADUATE STUDENT
SENIOR
JOE MISHAK
GRADUATE STUDENT
LARRY MYERS
SENIOR
HILLARY NEESE
SENIOR
ALEXA RAVIT
GRADUATE STUDENT
Home State: New Jersey
Home State: Washington
Home State: Pennsylvania
Home State: Arizona
Home State: Texas
Home State: New York
Joe has always lived by the idea of following your dreams, and the fact he is here in
Tucson speaks volumes. Joe grew up in
New Jersey and developed a love for the
game at a young age. Like most people
in the sport, he was introduced by family
members and it wasn’t long before he was
traveling the country visiting race tracks.
David is a Native American tribal member
and will graduate with a degree in animal
sciences and a minor in business management in the summer of 2016. David
chose to pursue this degree because his
family has been involved in all aspects of
the horse racing industry for decades.
Joe’s interest in racing began in the early
2000’s after attending a day’s races at
Philadelphia Park. One exciting stretch
run from a friend’s horse resulting in a
trip to the winner’s circle was all that was
needed to get Joe thinking about how to
get involved in racing.
Hillary Neese is from Houston, Texas,
and her racetrack alma mater is Sam
Houston Race Park. She witnessed
Rachel Alexandra’s Preakness win in
2009 and has been hooked ever since.
David recently worked as a GIS Analyst
for his Native American tribe and managed a large ranch with 20+ thoroughbred
horses. In 2011, he co-founded EquiSight
- the technology startup focused on growing the viewership of horse racing by putting viewers in the saddle with the use of
a Smart Helmet where they could virtually
Ride the Race©.
Joe then began to watch races from
coast to coast to identify the best horses
around the country. After subscribing to
the Blood-Horse magazine, he developed
a keen interest in researching and studying pedigrees to determine successful
sires and bloodlines. Before enrolling
in the RTIP, Joe attended two-year-old
in training sales at Barrett’s as well as
pedigree and conformation clinics to gain
a deeper understanding of the animal.
Growing up in southern Arizona with
quarter horses and team roping, Larry’s
love for the equine athlete began at an
early age. Unlike most RTIP students,
however, his passion for horseracing
didn’t develop until after he arrived at the
University of Arizona. After completing his
associate’s degree, he decided to pursue
his love of horses by transferring to the
UA as an equine sciences major. Later,
he decided it was in his best interest to
join the Race Track Industry Program and
follow the business path.
Alexa was born and raised in Bellmore,
New York. She first fell in love with racing
when she was 10 years old and Funny Cide
won the Kentucky Derby. After his Preakness victory, Alexa convinced her parents
to buy tickets for the Belmont Stakes, her
first live horse race, and she has been a
passionate fan ever since.
Joe earned his undergraduate degree in
accounting from Rutgers University and
later his MBA in finance while working
full time. After a successful eleven years
in public and private accounting including
formation of his own consulting company,
he decided it was time to make his dream
a reality. The rest is history in the making.
Joe aspires to one day become the
general manager or CEO of a race track or
racing organization. As a player, he knows
the customer bases’ needs and hopes to
marry this with his business acumen to
make sure this game is around for years
to come.
To those contemplating a move into the
industry: life passes many of us by as we
are making grand plans for it. Take action
and believe in yourself.
18
DAVID MATT
Upon graduation, David intends to
pursue a career in race track or casino
management or align with an exciting
new innovative business.
Joe is excited about utilizing his analytical
and communication skills in concert with
his RTIP education in the area of racing
partnerships upon graduation.
He spent this past summer at Hoosier
Park Racing and Casino in Indiana working in the race marketing office. There he
gained experience promoting live racing,
maintaining the company website, and
also working different promotions inside
the casino. While in the Midwest, he also
had the opportunity to visit the iconic
Churchill Downs. Overall, his amazing
internship solidified his desire of a career
within the horseracing industry.
Larry is excited about learning more about
horse racing every day and hopes to start
a career in the industry upon graduation.
With an emphasis on the horse side,
Hillary’s interests lie primarily in the
breeding and selling of potential racehorses, and she would love a career in
bloodstock or sales preparation. She
considers the Keeneland September
Yearling Sale to be her Super Bowl. Her
original goal in life was to breed the 12th
Triple Crown winner, but given recent
events, she has had to amend it.
When she’s not training yearlings at the
UA equine center or scanning the BloodHorse for new articles, Hillary serves
as an Ambassador to the College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences. Through
the Ambassador program, she travels
across the country to recruit new students
and advocate for agriculture.
She can name every Kentucky Derby winner since 1970 and is eagerly awaiting the
day that this information will be useful.
Prior to enrolling in the Race Track Industry
Program, Alexa spent a summer interning at
Gainsborough Farm, and she has spent the
past two summers interning in The Jockey
Club’s Communications Department. In high
school, Alexa conducted independent research studying risk factors for catastrophic
injuries in Thoroughbreds while under the
guidance of Dr. Mary Scollay.
Alexa spent the 2015 breeding season at
Claiborne Farm and blogged about her experiences through America’s Best Racing.
Her writing has also been published in The
Blood-Horse and The Paulick Report.
Alexa graduated from Cornell University in
2015 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in
Animal Science and minors in Business and
Communication. She aspires to work in the
regulatory side of the racing industry.
19
2015 HAPPY MINUTE STAKES
Unique Internship Experiences: Francesca
LeDonne (left) sets up the winner’s circle photo for
the Human Horse Race during the Irish Festival
at Monmouth Park Racetrack during her summer
internship.
The Happy Minute Stakes was organized by
friends of RTIP alumnus Pete Selin to honor
him at the track he thoroughly enjoyed during
his tenure in Tucson. Alumni Richard Scheidt,
Scot Waterman and Mike Costanzo could not
have come up with a more fitting tribute to
honor Pete, who lost his battle with Leukemia
not long after beginning a second career in
racing.
Self-named the Spavin Brothers while “studying” at the Frog and Firkin, Pete Selin (Bog),
Mike Costanzo (Bone), Richard Scheidt (Jack)
and Ben Fletcher (Blood) not only found a way to
memorize different types of lameness but created
a life-long friendship.
GRADUATE STUDENT
JUNIOR
Home State: New Jersey
Home State: Washington
Kevin Schnoor is a first-year graduate
student in the University of Arizona’s Race
Track Industry Program. He grew up in
Middletown, New Jersey, 20 minutes from
Monmouth Park. Kevin developed a passion for racing from his father, who owns
racehorses and took him to Monmouth
every summer as a child.
Jason grew up in the Pacific Northwest.
His love for racing started early with trips
to Longacres Racetrack, but his passion
was put on hold when he joined the United
States Army in 1990. After a 24 year career,
he is finally back to doing what he loves.
Kevin has spent the last four racing
seasons at Monmouth Park, where he
worked on irrigation and maintenance of
the turf course. He is also a passionate
handicapper and is a weekly contributor
to Shapperdacapper.com.
Kevin has a Bachelor of Arts degree in
American studies from the University of
Maryland. His ultimate goal is to work on
the front side of a racetrack, and he is
considering going into track management
or becoming a racing secretary.
20
JASON WITTLER
While still serving our nation, Jason met
his wife, Tess, whose family owns and
operates a breeding stable in Beech Creek,
Pennsylvania. In between deployments and
military operations abroad, he continued to
fuel his passion by spending time with the
weanlings and yearlings, often following
their progress from birth to auction to the
racetrack. Those experiences helped make
his decision to retire from the military and
enter into the RTIP at the University of
Arizona an easy one.
Because Jason’s goal is to apply his vast
military experience in operations, planning,
and training management to the thoroughbred world, either at a racetrack or breeding stable, he plans to complete both the
business and equine specializations.
le
inner’s circ
ther in the w
d friends ga
ents an
, alumni, stud
RTIP faculty
What makes this race so special? It’s namesake
Pete Selin. Pete was the successful operator of
several Blues Clubs in Houston, who discovered racing later in life, and in
racing, he found a true passion. In what some might call a mid-life crisis (or
enlightenment, depending on your perspective), Pete decided to make a
career change and came to the RTIP.
KEVIN SCHNOOR
His magnetic personality and wit drew
people in—he was equally at home
with the second-degree students as the
just-out-of-high-school group. Rarely
could you end a conversation with
Pete without holding your sides from
laughing so hard.
RTIP students, alumni and faculty all gathered to present the trophy
to the winning connections at the 8th Annual
Pete Selin Memorial Happy Minute Stakes
on March 28, 2015.
Soon after his arrival in Tucson, Pete
found his new favorite watering
hole—the Buffet Bar and Crock Pot
and home of the happy minute. The
happy minute happens every day at
5:40 p.m. at which time everyone in
the bar gets a free drink. The
“Buf” became the unofficial
gathering place of the RTIP
students, guest speakers and
Symposium attendees.
As a tribute to Pete, “Jack,”
“Bone,” and Scot found a way to celebrate his life
with an event that integrates two of his favorite places and the
sport he loved.
The race is written at 5½ furlongs, the distance at which the winning time
of the race will be as close to one minute (as in the “happy minute” made
famous at the Buffet) as possible. —RTIP staff
2015 KRA EXECUTIVE IN RESIDENCE
Ji Young Kang is currently participating in the
Executive in Residence Program sponsored by
the Korea Racing Authority. Ji Young joined the
KRA in 1996 after graduating from Korea
University with a bachelor’s degree in animal
science. His work has focused on upgrading the training, feeding and facilities for
young horses. Most recently, he has
worked as the general manager of the Horse
Industry Promotion Department drafting a longterm horse industry development plan. Ji Young
was awarded the Minister of Agriculture, Food
and Rural Affairs Award in 2014 for his
outstanding contribution to the growth
and development of the horse
industry in Korea.
Ji Young Kang
The Executive in Residence program is a perfect fit with the unique position of the RTIP as the only bachelor and masters degree programs
specific to pari-mutuel racing. By offering such a program, the RTIP not only provides advanced educational opportunities for international
racing executives, but also offers students from the United States an opportunity to learn about the rules and customs in foreign racing
jurisdictions. To date, the RTIP has hosted nine international participants from three countries.
21
RTIP
PEOPLE & ACHIEVEMENTS
GOING TO THE POST FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Liz Bracken, associate coordinator of the Race Track Industry Program
(RTIP) was a keynote speaker at the Heritage Racing Association’s dinner
fundraiser on Saturday, April 11, at
the beautiful White Stallion Ranch
in Marana. A good time was had by
all, but it was also a party for a good
cause – the Marana Food Bank.
What does this have to do with horse
racing? Every year since 2002, the
group called Heritage Racing Association purchases a percentage share
of a horse to race during the Rillito
Park season. Any purse money made
by their horse goes to the Marana
Food Bank. This year’s horse, Stormin
Along, lived up to his name by gaining
a first, second and third place finish at
Rillito. He now goes with his trainer to
race in New Mexico for the summer,
but he left the group with a lot of good
memories; the best being a trip to the
winner’s circle on February 14.
concluded earlier that day. Russell said that Rillito increased percapita wagering this year and per-capita
food and beverage. For the first time in
many years, Rillito offered simulcasting of premier thoroughbred meets and
will continue do so on most weekends
through the Belmont Stakes. Russell
said the addition of simulcasting has
been received well but admits there are
challenges and a lot of improvements
they want to make. He also praised
the dedication of the RTIP students
who worked at Rillito and helped keep
things running.
Liz Bracken gave an overview of the
RTIP history, its wide-reaching alumni
network, current students and funding sources. She also spoke about
some of the racing industry’s issues:
ner
din
the
utiful grounds before
declining foal crop, field size and too
Liz poses on the bea
many race dates. She explained that
there are opportunities such as that racing is still the only
legal interstate online wagering offered in the U.S. The attendees were
“We’re just a bunch of old farts who like to get together, have a good
surprised to learn that 85% of the money wagered on each race in this
time and help a good cause,” said Phil Egner, who organizes the racing
country is bet at a location other than the live track. The attendees
group every year and planned the dinner. The group is diverse – some
asked thoughtful questions which precipitated in good discussion.
know a lot about horse racing and some do not – it includes local business leaders as well as retirees looking for something to do.
Phil indicated that he, and his expanding ownership group, will be
Russell True, who owns the White Stallion and is a member of the Rillito
Park Foundation, gave a wrap-up of the 2015 Rillito meet, which had
back with another horse next year that will also race to support the
Marana Food Bank. — RTIP Staff
RTIP FACULTY STAY CONNECTED WITH THE INDUSTRY
RTIP faculty host or participate in different activities throughout the year – presentations in 2015 include:
The Regulation of North American Racing and Steward Accreditation module
presented to the Darley Flying Start students in KY – May, 2015
The Steward Accreditation Program 60-hour education course held at
Los Alamitos Race Course and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in CA – July, 2015
ADW presentation at Saratoga Institute on Equine, Racing and Gaming Law in NY – August, 2015
The National Youth Racing Experience held in conjunction with the American Quarter Horse
Association Challenge Championship Races at Lone Star Park in TX – October, 2015
22
Presentation on the state of the racing industry at the National Animal
Interest Alliance conference in FL – October, 2015
Grad Assistant Joe Mishak discusses upcoming
assignments on product differentiation and competitive
advantage in the Financial & Economic Strategies class.
GRADUATE ASSISTANT
OPPORTUNITIES
Grad assistantships provide graduate students with part-time
employment in teaching, research, outreach, or other (administrative or technical) positions. Grad assistants are eligible for tuitionrelated financial support, and, for the purposes of tuition only, are
considered in-state students. They also receive individual student
health insurance premium coverage. More complete details can be
found at: ua-rtip.org/future_students/course_curriculum
“Being a graduate assistant has allowed me to tap into
some of my knowledge and experiences from my years
in the workforce to pass onto undergraduates as they
learn the nuances of financial and economic strategies.
Furthermore, being a part of the academic community
from the inside has afforded me the opportunity to see the
challenges our faculty members encounter, which has
given me a deeper appreciation and respect for them.”
— Joe Mishak, 2015 Graduate Assistant
Photo Credit:
Chelsea Durand, NYRA
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO RTIP
GRAD AND UNDERGRADUATES
Students in the RTIP benefit from a number of scholarship awards
designated specifically for them. As the cost of higher education keeps
climbing, earning a scholarship award means the difference, for many
students, of being able to complete their degree.
n The Jockey Club John “Jack”
Goodman Scholarship
n Joseph Joyce, Jr. Memorial
Scholarship
n Bob Umphrey Memorial
Scholarship
n XpressBet/Race for Education
Scholarship
n Hope Jones Scholarship
n Kieckhefer Scholarship
n Outlaw Inn Scholarship
n Harry M. Stevens Scholarship
n Vessels Scholarship
n Turf Publicists of
America Scholarship
n RTIP General Scholarship
2014 DISTINGUISHED STUDENT AWARD
The distinguished student award goes to the RTIP undergraduate student or students who
the faculty feels best embodies the qualities and performance that represent the goal of
the Program—to bridge education with opportunity. The award recognizes academic and
personal growth and achievement.
Randy Olson became hooked on racing when his family ran a horse in
the 2011 Preakness Stakes. He switched from engineering to the RTIP
to pursue his dream. While at the University of Arizona, he combined good grades with on the job learning. Randy interned with the
TOC (Thoroughbred Owners of California) working as a horseman’s
liaison during the summer of 2014. He also was half of the “Desert
Duo”providing handicapping seminars and paddock analysis at this
year’s Rillito Park meet.
Upon graduation, Randy worked as a racing official at Del Mar and
Golden Gate Fields. This October, he switched coasts to take on a
new position with NYRA working in ADW analytics and pari-mutuel
operations.
23
BULLETIN
RTIP students get a wide variety of experiences:
BOARD
RTIP students looking good at the Symposium
from racing and non-racing extracurricular activities,
working on and attending the Symposium, and
networking with a diverse group of guest speakers
throughout the year.
Sarah Crane schools a youngster at Fleming Thoroughbred Farm
Executive in Residence Ji Young Kang gives an
overview of Korean racing to RTIP students
Students relaxing at the RTIP “Welcome Back” pizza party
Liz Bracken checks in on her students
working at Rillito Park
RTIP students video an encouraging message to alum Bob Baffert
and American Pharoah on their Triple Crown bid
he
Recent RTIP grad, Sam Wright, assistant to Christop
workout
Clement, leads champion racehorse Tonalist after a
Legendary track announcer Tom Durkin spends time with students at the Symposium
CALS Ambassador
Hillary Neese sho
ws
recruits how to “B
ear Down” in Califo new
rnia
Doug Reed visits Francesca LeDonne during
her internship at Monmouth Park
Senior Taylor Kirby presents her capstone project at the Symposium
re
day even mo
kes a special
Joe Longo ma
Race Course
ga
to
ra
Sa
Grad student
historic
by marrying at
so
Spring 2015 RT
IP grads Sam,
RTIP students with Bob Baffert at Del Mar
24
Students stop their work stuffing attendee bags to pose for a quick picture
Randy, Taylor,
and Sandra
25
FRANCESCA LEDONNE
This summer I had the pleasure of working at one of the top east coast
tracks, Monmouth Park. I began in May and finished at the end of
August. I was responsible for a variety of duties at the track, such as
promoting, coordinating and facilitating the tracks events as well as
creating advertising and sponsorship presentations to top investors.
I was also in charge of all Monmouth Park affiliated social media
websites including Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. I was able to be
creative and have fun with the social media sites and really connect
with the fans.
Monmouth Park has a unique presence about it. Once I arrived at the
track, I fell in love with its classic charm and beach house feel. On a
breezy day you can smell the Atlantic Ocean, just five blocks away,
throughout the grandstand. Not many things are better than the ocean
and thoroughbred racing in my opinion, and Monmouth Park had a
perfect marriage of the two.
I loved working there this summer for many reasons, but I think the
number one reason would be the Haskell Invitational. We had the
pleasure of hosting the 2015 Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah
at our track. We actually started to prepare for the arrival of American
Pharoah right after he won the Belmont, before his connections even
confirmed that he would be running in the Haskell. It was marketing’s duty to make sure it would be an unforgettable weekend for all
involved.
We came up with multiple ideas and narrowed down to a select few that
made the cut. The name and tongue twister “Pharoah Phan Phestival”
stuck and became the event of the summer. By the end of Haskell
weekend, I believe I spelled my name Phrancesca more than once.
I was based primarily in the race marketing office working for Emily Gaskin.
Emily is amazing at what she does and even though she was always
extremely busy, she always had time to answer my questions or go over
things with me. My duties included updating and maintaining the racing
and handicapping part of the website, running the Twitter account, and
running various giveaways and promotions. I also worked with groups
who were at the track for company outings, parties, etc. Additionally, I
was able to tour around and spend time at other departments. I was able
to work on the casino marketing side, helping with their promotions and
even getting to work concerts by the likes of Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt
and the band, Boston.
We worked from early in the morning until late into the evening,
sometimes into the morning hours.
He arrived in style with a police escort and a decked out trailer
courtesy of the marketing department. News crews crowded the Kelly
Breen barn where he was stabled to catch a glimpse of the champion.
He stepped off that trailer like a king, and we knew we were in for
a show. We opened the track to the public for American Pharoah’s
workouts prior to the Haskell. We expected a crowd of around 1,000
but when we saw the parking lots filling at 5 am, we knew we had
underestimated. It was incredible to see the fans, young to old, run
to the rail to secure their spot to see Pharoah work.
All of the preparations and hard work we did was all worth it that
Sunday afternoon. As soon as Pharoah stepped onto the track for
the running of the Haskell Invitational a crowd of 60,983 roared and
cheered. The jockey colony ran from the jocks room to support their
Triple Crown Winner and jockey, Victor Espinoza. Many cried, and
held their breaths from the moment he flew from the gate and danced
across the finish line.
I will never forget the feeling I had as I watched from the winner’s
circle. It was a magical moment.
The next morning it was time to say farewell to our Triple Crown
guest. I had the opportunity to meet him for a moment before he
loaded onto the trailer back to the airport. He was as sweet and as
charming as could be. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity
I had to intern at Monmouth Park this summer, it was an
experience I will never forget.
Larry shows his school colors at Hoosier Park with track bugler and Hoosier Buddy
LARRY MYERS
This summer I spent my time at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino in
Anderson, Indiana. When I first found out this opportunity was offered to
me I was extremely nervous. Indiana? Harness racing? I had never been
away from Arizona any longer than a couple weeks, so not only would
this be my first experience of life at the track but it would also be the first
time I visited this part of the country. I was really anxious but three days
and 1800 miles later, there I was in the land of the Hoosiers. After meeting Veronica Watkins, the human resources training instructor, all my
worries faded away. Her enthusiasm was so electric and contagious that
I was sure coming to Hoosier Park would be one of the best decisions
of my life.
Rick Moore, the vice president and general manager of racing really
went out of his way to make sure I really got a taste of what different
departments did both from day-to-day and race-to-race. I spent a day
shadowing on the backside with the track maintenance and in the racing
office watching them go through entries and do the post position draw. I
was also fortunate enough to sit through a couple races with the judges
and see the process of what they go through in order to make a race official. I also spent some time in the tote room with the mutuels crew and
watched what they did from race to race. Everyone I had the pleasure of
working with was supportive, enthusiastic and willing to help me learn.
While work was fun, I made sure to get out and see what was around
me. I drove down to Kentucky and visited Churchill Downs for a day at
the races under the twin spires. That was an experience all to itself.
While at Hoosier Park I was also able to see the richest Standardbred
of all time, Foiled Again, race in the Dan Patch Stakes, and the superstar
3-year-old pacers Freaky Feet Pete and Wiggle It Jiggleit. In addition, I
met the Budweiser Clydesdales up close and personal–checked that one
off the bucket-list!
I had a great three months at Hoosier Park. It is a first class facility
with first class people and I am glad they picked me to be part of their
team for the summer. It was an amazing experience and I enjoyed
every minute of it.
SARAH CRANE
This summer I interned with the CHRB stewards for the
summer thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos where I
observed daily steward tasks, hearings, and live racing
officiating. I was fortunate to continue my intern
experience at Del Mar, where I interned with the
California state investigators observing backstretch
security practices and routine barn searches.
During my stay I was also able to successfully complete
the stewards accreditation program, hosted by the RTIP,
held in July at Los Alamitos Race Track.
Photo credit: Monmouth Park
SUMMER
26
INTERNSHIPS
27
ANNA HIBBARD
JOE MISHAK
TRIPLE CROWN ATTENTION ON THE RACE TRACK INDUSTRY PROGRAM – cont. from page 3
For my internship I drove from Arizona to West Virginia then all the way
back to California for the Racing Officials Accreditation Program. I was
fortunate to intern at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Race Track. In
mornings I worked taking entries in the racing office. At night, during
races, I worked as a placing judge. The racing office was very supportive
and I was able to shadow the bookkeeper and paddock judge. I spent time
learning the many intricacies of the racing office and experiencing life in
the racing industry.
I spent six weeks this summer interning with West Point Thoroughbreds at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in San Diego, during which
my responsibilities included working on partner relations matters
such as licensing partners, setting up accommodations for race days,
facilitating and leading barn visits, and taking pictures and video of
West Point’s horses during morning workouts and posting them to the
company’s website. I also participated in weekly conference calls with
the West Point team to discuss the current and future status of west
coast operation activities. Finally, I spent time shadowing West Point’s
west coast trainer Craig Dollase in the mornings to learn the nuances
of training and managing a stable. Accordingly, I gained tremendous
insight into the day to day operations of racing partnerships, which is
the part of the industry I plan on entering upon graduation.
Now, Reed says the program typically has somewhere around
45 students per year and three full-time faculty members with 70
percent of its budget coming from industry sources. There is also a
strong emphasis on placing students in summer internships, one of
which sent Pletcher, who graduated in 1989, to Hall of Fame trainer
Charlie Whittingham’s barn.
In my free time I explored the countryside and its many historical parks.
I also was able to visit Washington D.C. for the first time. I had an
outstanding time working at the track and am certain the knowledge
I learned will be with me for years to come.
HONORE BREMER
“It was pretty cool to spend the summer working for one of the
most famous trainers in history and get college credits,” Pletcher
said.
Though it would be difficult to teach someone to train Thoroughbreds in a classroom — experience and feel for the horses is still
the most important part of the job — many students take courses
in equine nutrition and physiology in addition to learning about the
business side of the racetrack.
Asked why someone who wants to be a trainer would benefit from
the program, Reed pointed to the marketing and organizational
skills it takes to build a major operation like Pletcher, whose horses
won a combined $22.4 million last year. A few other up-and-coming
trainers, including West Coast-based Phil D’Amato, also have
degrees from Arizona.
I spent the summer interning with Monarch Content Management.
Based at Santa Anita Racetrack, the first month was spent rotating
through the different departments at the track. I was able to spend time
in food and beverage, mutuels, marketing, the racing office, track
maintenance, and media relations, among others. I also helped with
a fundraising event for CARMA and attended a couple of press
conferences– it was interesting to see the work that goes into planning
a press conference.
“Go to Todd Pletcher’s web site and scroll around and tell me he’s
not running a business,” Reed said.
Though he’s not sure it gave him an edge training horses, Pletcher
said the opportunity to do simple things like being a member of a
fraternity would have been lost on him had he not gone to college.
He said his teenage son Payton, who is considering following in his
father’s footsteps, will likely consider attending Arizona.
The final day of live racing, American Pharoah paraded in front of
the crowd. It was great to see 27,000 people come out to see the Triple
Crown winner. The month of July I was primarily learning how to do
simulcasting settlements and working on projects for Monarch.
Joe visiting with 2-year-old filly, Street Surrender
“You have to learn how to balance your life out a little bit and be
organized and detail-oriented,” Pletcher said. “If nothing else it’s
sort of an important time to mature and grow and do some of the
fun stuff you don’t get to do when you go to work full-time.”
It also turned Pletcher and Baffert into college sports fans who
maintain a connection with the powerful Arizona basketball
program. Pletcher has hosted former coach Lute Olson as a
guest at the Kentucky Derby and has invited current coach
Sean Miller, whom he met when the Wildcats played at
Madison Square Garden two seasons ago.
Yet another Eclipse Award for leading trainer in the nation, Todd Pletcher
“I have a little bit of a texting relationship with Lute,” Pletcher said.
“That’s pretty cool because he’s a hero.”
Baffert has an even closer relationship with Olson and even named
a horse in his honor: Midnight Lute, who won the Eclipse Award as
champion sprinter in 2007. Baffert attended Arizona’s Sweet 16 and
Elite Eight games with Olson in Los Angeles during the most recent
NCAA Tournament but said he has also in more recent years
developed an affinity for UCLA football.
The niece of his wife, Jill Baffert, dates UCLA senior center Jake
Brendel, who was part of their Kentucky Derby entourage.
“I’ve really become sort of a UCLA fan being right there at the
Rose Bowl. I try to make all the games,” Baffert said. “And
Oregon, to me, is like watching American Pharoah. He’s like
Mariota. He’s just so entertaining and that’s what really
catches people’s eye about American Pharoah. When
he’s on his game, he’s entertaining.” — Reprinted with
permission, USA Today
Photo credit: Horsephotos.com / NTRA
xxx
.
RTIP
Internships are an integral part of both the undergraduate and graduate experience at the RTIP. Each year qualified
students complete internships in the United States and abroad with race tracks, farms, trainers and racing-related organizations.
Internships provide RTIP students with unique opportunities to put their classroom knowledge to practical use, thereby
enhancing the educational experience and making them better prepared to assume responsible positions after graduation.
28
29
STUDENTS GAIN EXPERIENCE IN HORSE RACING INDUSTRY
Patrons at Rillito Park may have noticed a new presence during the
recently completed spring race meet, young adults dressed in navy shirts
seen on the in-house monitors, in the admissions booths and in the racing
office. All were RTIP students who had the opportunity to learn about the
industry firsthand through a collaboration with the local track.
“Some may say, it’s just
Rillito Park, not Belmont
Park,” Weiss said. “It’s the
same game, just different
numbers. And sometimes at
a small track you have to dig
in and get dirtier, and that’s
what these students have
the opportunity to do.”
They worked in many different capacities at the track as well as in the
classroom on projects related to the track’s operations. One such project
was a marketing plan to promote a Kentucky Derby party at Rillito.
The program’s director, Doug Reed, said his vision is for Rillito to be a
“working lab” for the students. “As ideas come up in the classroom, we
can utilize Rillito as a lab to conduct experiments, and the students can
report their research findings to the industry,” Reed said.
Honore, who worked as photo finish and timer, keeps an eye on the field
That goal seems well within reach as the RTIP is well-connected in
the racing industry and recognized for its outstanding graduates. RTIP
students interact with industry professionals through guest speakers
in the classroom, internships, the symposium and mentor lunch, alumni
connections and a diverse faculty. Nearly 600 former students now are
working in the industry around the world. Some are accomplished trainers, such as RTIP graduate Bob Baffert, while others are managing large
race tracks or have found success in business areas such as marketing
or human resources.
“If you work hard and take advantage of opportunities, you will succeed,”
Reed said. “Our alumni always say to take advantage of every
opportunity offered while here in school.”
Rillito Park’s new general manager, Michael
Weiss, was a student in the program and has
worked with tracks around the country,
such as Beulah Park in Grove City, Ohio,
with innovative marketing ideas and
promotions. He played a major role in
connecting the RTIP to Rillito. Weiss
believes students have gained invaluable
real-world experiences at the track.
Elise, selling track programs and t-shirts
Weiss interviewed interested students before the
spring semester, helping to
find the right fit for them at
Rillito and offering them paid
jobs. Positions ranged from
admissions to putting together
and managing the track’s
social media accounts.
Rillito’s handicapping team, the Desert Duo, was a product of the collaboration between the track and the RTIP–students Aaron Brukman and Randy
Olson presented their picks for the live races at Rillito and for simulcast
races from tracks around the country.
Many of the students worked just
on the weekends, but others worked
all week long. Honore Bremer
worked in the racing office taking
entries during the week and then
operated the photo-finish camera
and timing equipment on
weekends.
“It’s given me real-world experience
because now I’ve seen the operations
of a race track,” Bremer said.
Autumn working on TV graphics
Anna Hibbard, a senior in the program,
also worked in the office, which was a
new experience even though she had
completed multiple internships in the
industry.
“All of my experience up until now
has been on the back stretch with
the horses and horsemen,” she said.
“This has given me a much broader
view of what the industry can offer
me.”— Bridget Grobosky
The Desert Duo picking winners before the race
RILLITO
30
26
PARK RACETRACK
Real world in the classroom Thanks to a generous grant from the Bert W. Martin Foundation, RTIP students are able to
generate ideas in the classroom then collaborate with Rillito Park management to create studies that are brought to life in the
setting of a live race meeting. The results of these projects will benefit both the students and Rillito Park.
31
THANK YOU TO THE RTIP ADVISORY COUNCIL
Rollin Baugh
John K. Goodman
Director, Del Mar
Thoroughbred Club
Member, The Jockey Club
and Co-Founder of the RTIP
Rogers Beasley
Joseph W. Harper
Director of Racing, Keeneland
Association Inc.
Trey Buck
President/General
Manager, Del Mar
Thoroughbred Club
Chief Racing Officer,
American Quarter Horse
Association
Jim Kostas*
Sherwood Chillingworth
Joseph Morris
Executive Vice President,
Oak Tree Racing Association
Dan Fick*
Accredited Steward, ROAP
Alan Foreman
Chairman and CEO,
Thoroughbred
Horsemen’s Association
James Gagliano
President/COO,
The Jockey Club
President,
Daily Racing Form
Senior Vice President of
West Coast Operations,
Stronach Group
E. Jane Murray*
Director of Services,
Thoroughbred Racing
Associations of
North America
Laura Plato*
Michael Weiss*
Director of Operations,
HBPA – National
RTN/Rillito Park
Lonny T. Powell*
President/General Manager,
Remington Park Racing
and Lone Star Park
CEO & Executive Vice
President, Florida
Thoroughbred
Owners & Breeders
Association
Dan Silver*
Senior Director of TV,
The New York
Racing Association
Michael J. Tanner
Executive Vice President /CEO,
US Trotting Association
Alexander M. Waldrop
President/CEO, NTRA
Scott Wells
Erich Zimny*
Vice President of
Racing Operations,
Hollywood Casino at
Charles Town Races
International Members:
Bill Nader
Executive Director,
Racing, Hong Kong
Jockey Club
Joe Osborne*
General Manager,
Kildangan Stud
* RTIP Alumni
845 N. Park Avenue, Ste. 370, Tucson, Arizona 85721 | 520.621.5660 | ua-rtip.org