Thoroughbred Idea Foundation to Give Keynote Panel at HPBA Convention

[Wandering Eyes]

The keynote address at the National HBPA’s annual convention in March of 2019 will be a panel of representatives from the recently-established Thoroughbred Idea Foundation, the HBPA announced Tuesday.

The panel is scheduled for Mar. 13, opening day of the three-day convention at the Sand Key Sheraton Hotel in Clearwater, Fla. Panelists will be board members Craig Bernick, Jack Wolf and Corey Johnsen, along with TIF executive director Patrick Cummings. Other convention speakers will include Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, founder of the consulting company Racing Matters; economist Dr. Steven Vickner from the University of Louisville College of Business’ equine industry program; Jen Roytz, executive director of the Retired Racehorse Project; as well as a panel discussion led by prominent racing talk-show host Steve Byk on the topic of how the industry can best utilize statistical information in the future.

Details on registration and agenda will be available soon at nationalhbpa.com.

“There are a lot of good things going on in horse racing, a lot of good buzz,” said Eric Hamelback, chief executive officer of the National HBPA. “The Thoroughbred Idea Foundation is committed to putting out productive, well-thought-out ideas that we can all back to make our industry better. There is so much going on that it made sense to have a panel of their representatives–who come from different horse and business backgrounds–rather than just one keynote speaker. This promises to be a can’t-miss session, and I know I can’t wait to hear their thoughts and how we can all work together for positive change that benefits every aspect of our sport.”

The non-profit TIF was formed earlier this year to create an active forum for the exchange of ideas with the mission of “improving the Thoroughbred racing industry for all stakeholders, especially its primary customers–horseplayers and owners–through the exchange, curation and advocacy of sound, data-driven ideas shared with and implemented by the sport’s existing entities,” according to the organization’s website, racingthinktank.com.

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