by Lee Park, director of communications, New York State Gaming Commission

Schenectady, NY — The New York State Gaming Commission will host a day-long summit focused on the issue of retired racehorses — both Thoroughbred and Standardbred — on Tuesday (Sept. 1) at 10 a.m. at the Fasig-Tipton Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs.

This event is designed to focus attention on the issue of racehorse retirement and publicize the current status of New York and national initiatives — including those ongoing and those developed since the New York Task Force on Retired Racehorses issued recommendations in late 2011. The Summit, beginning at 10 a.m., is free and open to the public.

“The Commission believes that responsible stewardship of the horse includes factoring in the entire lifecycle and ensuring that these athletes have viable options once their racing careers are over,” said Commission Executive Director Robert Williams. “This event will highlight the steps that have been taken so far and identify the challenges and solutions to promoting responsible aftercare.”

“It’s our duty to make sure they have access to safe havens once their days on the track are complete,” said Sackatoga Stable’s Jackson W. Knowlton, a prominent owner and former Task Force Member who has been instrumental in putting together the Summit. “Everyone — breeders, trainers, owners, track management and more — have an obligation to work together and address this issue. The Retired Racehorse Summit will showcase some exciting new endeavors being undertaken by the Commission and the industry to bring about real positive change for our horses.”

Knowlton will kick-off the event by reviewing the Task Force’s key recommendations and discussing the status of ongoing research indicating where horses go after they leave the track. He will also discuss the social responsibility component of the issue.

Fasig-Tipton’s Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion is located at East & Madison Avenues in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Tentative panels and participants:

10:05-10:30: Introduction/Overview: Jack Knowlton, Sackatoga Stables, Member of the Task Force on Retired Racehorses

10:30-11:00: History & Current Status of Retirement Initiatives & Programs by NY Thoroughbred Horsemen, Moderated by Eric Wing
• Andy Belfiore, TAKE 2
• David Brown, Finger Lakes Horsemen’s Association
• Richard A. Violette, Jr., New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association/Take The Lead

11:00-Noon: National Leaders in Thoroughbred Retirement, Moderated by Mike Kane
• Madeline Auerbach & Lucinda Mandella, CARMA
• Erin Crady, Thoroughbred Charities of America
• Diana Pikulski, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
• Stacie Clark Rogers, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

Noon-1:00: Break

1:00-2:00: Approaches to aftercare at the Track level. Moderated by NYSGC Commissioner Peter Moschetti
• Sam Elliott, PARX
• Christopher Kay, NYRA
• Mike Rogers, Stronach Group
• Mike Ziegler, Churchill Downs

2:00-3:00: How does the Standardbred industry address retirement? Moderated by M. Kelly Young
• Judith Bokman, Standardbred Retirement Foundation
• Jeff Gural, Tioga & Vernon Downs
• Ellen Harvey, USTA
• Katherine Starr & Robin Young, Sunshine Horses

3:00-4:30: Accredited Orgs: Current status & future challenges in providing aftercare to NY-based horses, Moderated by Jack Wolf
• Michael Blowen, Old Friends
• Kim DeLong, Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program, Inc.
• Anna Ford, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program
• Lisa Malloy, ReRun
• JoAnn Pepper, Old Friends at Cabin Creek
• Erin Pfister & Heather Carlson, Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue
• Susan Wagner, Equine Advocates, Inc.

4:30-5:00 Looking Forward: What are you willing to do?
• TBD