Investigators conference opens with ambitious schedule on March 27 @AQU

PRESS RELEASE --- With a chill blast in the forecast on Monday morning March 28, Aqueduct Racetrack will continue to host the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI), an educational and networking event. The heart of the meeting begins on what promises to be an ambitious 2-day line-up of hot-button topics that pertain to a myriad of issues with regards to racing.

Last held in 2019 due to COVID restrictions, the schedule is in the capable hands of Chair J.C. Jaramillo of the New York Racing Association, and assisted ably by Vice-Chair Juan Estrada of the Arizona Gaming Commission. Attendees represent Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, and Trotting establishments, and hail from jurisdictions across the United States, including participants from Canada and Ireland.

The organization’s purpose is to bring together professionals who specialize in security at North American racetracks across the country. ORI members tackle race fixing, horse doping, animal abuse and cruelty, money laundering, cybercrime, conspiracy, illegal pari-mutuel activity, just to name a few. They work on-behalf of a variety of entities, including police, government, and private security firms that are in-turn, employed by racetracks.

As mentioned, all sessions will have a specific topic that impacts not only investigators, but the horse racing industry at-large. The focal point of the ORI @AQU will be the Monday evening Keynote Address, delivered by Congressman Paul D. Tonko, 20th Congressional District of New York. Of course, the Representative was the co-sponsor of the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which at least in-part, is due out this summer.

Here is the full rundown of conference presentations and those at the lectern …

Monday, March 28, 2022

Opening Remarks, Glen Kozak, Senior Vice President, Operations & Capital Projects, New York Racing Association.

NYRA Security Operations, John Clyne, Senior Director, Security, New York Racing Association.

Interference Rules and Protocols: Consistency in Decisions, Brook Hawkins (NYRA Steward), Dr. Jennifer Durenberger (Jockey Club Steward).

Corporate Protocols, Dr. Dionne Benson, DVM, JD, Chief Veterinary Officer, 1/ST Racing.

Examples of Pool Manipulation and Grey/Illegal Market Betting, Patrick Cummings, Executive Director, Thoroughbred Idea Foundation.                                            

Understanding Anti-Horse Racing Organizations & How they Operate, Christine Bullard, Director of Business Information, The 1/ST Group of Companies.

HISA Racetrack Accreditation & Safety, Tom DiPasquale, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA).

Keynote Speaker: Congressman Paul D. Tonko, 20th Congressional District of New York, Co-sponsor of HISA.

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Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Jockey Club Industry Initiatives, Kristin Werner, Senior Counsel, The Jockey Club.

Understanding Microchips and Digital Certificates, Teena Appleby, Technician Operations & Investigations, TRPB and Rachael Mant, Agent, TRPB.    

From the Finish Line to FedEx: Testing Sample Integrity, Leasa Johnson, Chief Investigator, New Mexico Racing Commission.

Racehorse Aftercare Awareness, Richard E. Schosberg, President, TAKE2/TAKE THE LEAD Thoroughbred Retirement Program.

5 Stones Intelligence, Timothy Harrington, Director of Sports Investigations, 5 Stones Intelligence.

Pre-Race Joint Treatments in the Racehorse, Dr. Scott Palmer, VMD, Equine Medical Director, New York State Gaming Commission.

Media Training, Communications Department, New York Racing Association.

Concussion Protocols and Return to Ride, Patricia Morrison, Premise Health.

Role of the Commission, Braulio Baeza Jr., State Steward, New York State Gaming Commission.

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Note: Regular updates can be found on horseracing.net/us ... You can also follow the conference progress with live Tweets ... Horseracing_USA ... from our onsite turfwriter J.N. Campbell.