Tommy Lloyd, head coach of the University of Arizona's men's basketball team, will tip off welcome remarks on the second morning of the university's Global Symposium on Racing Dec. 9-11 in Tucson. Topics from speakers and panels will then shift to a racing focus, with Louis Cella, president of Oaklawn Park, providing the keynote address, and Lisa Lazarus, CEO of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, looking ahead into 2025.
A full day of panels will follow the remarks Tuesday and Wednesday, the event's two most significant days following initial, more selective meetings Monday that involve racing surfaces, Association of Racing Commissioners International model rules, a summit of racing secretaries, and a couple workshops.
Among the topics on Tuesday morning's agenda are "Artificial Intelligence: Transformative Applications for Advancing Horse Racing," moderated by Kyle McDoniel, president and COO of Equibase, and featuring speakers Dr. Dionne Benson, Mark Midland, Zoë Nengite, Michael Novak, and Ricardo Valerdi.
That panel is followed by "Going Global: Updates and Insights from the World Stage" before a midday break for an awards luncheon, during which time the Turf Publicists of America will present trainer Kenny McPeek with The Big Sport of Turfdom Award.
Two other trainers will be in the spotlight in the afternoon: Hall of Famers Todd Pletcher and Bob Baffert, alumni of the university's Race Track Industry Program, which hosts the conference.
According to Robert Hartman, chair of the RTIP, more than 100 alumni are expected for this year's 50th anniversary of the symposium.
"A big part of the Race Track Industry Program is the family that is created by our program and our shared love of the sport," Hartman said. "So having everybody back at our conference, it's a pretty special thing."
Pletcher and Baffert comprise a panel titled "Champions. Challenges. Commitment." They spoke together five years ago during the 2019 symposium.
CNBC also plans to talk to Pletcher, Baffert, and others for a television segment they are shooting at the symposium, Hartman said.
Tuesday concludes with an international tote protocol meeting and two other panels titled "Investing in Racing's Future: Perspectives From the Next Generation" and "Fifty Ideas in 50 Minutes."
Wednesday begins with welcome remarks and RTIP senior capstone presentations from students Alicia Evans and Aldo Zamora before panels continue.
The program's student body is not as large as it once was. According to Hartman, the RTIP program has about 16 students.
"The contraction of the program isn't the worst thing," he said, noting it has mirrored the racetrack industry contracting. "If (students) want to work in racing upon graduation, they're pretty much assured of the job. The industry needs help."
"Racing's Success Stories—The Year in Review," "The HIWU Testing Strategy: A Peek Behind the Curtain," "Unlocking the Winning Playbook: Driving Innovative Sports Marketing Strategies," and "Securing the Future of America's Retired Racehorses: Strategies, Success Stories, and Sustainable Solutions" are part of the morning session.
The symposium then wraps with panels titled "TPA Mark Kaufman Workshop: How Do We Keep Racing Relevant in the Evolving Wagering Landscape?", "Safeguarding Equine Health: Biosecurity Strategies for Disease Prevention and Control," and "Structuring Handicapping Contests: Enhancing Bettor Experience While Boosting Bottom Line Results."
