In the world of harness racing, we are accustomed to a certain level of transparency. When a Standardbred steps onto the track, there is a clear social and economic contract in place. The fans in the stands and on ADW platforms contribute to the lifeblood of our sport through the pari-mutuel pools — a system where we play against one another, and a portion of every dollar wagered returns to the industry to fund purses, health insurance for horsepeople, and the very measures that regulate the integrity of the sport.
Tag: Mike Tanner
USTA CEO Mike Tanner discusses Equine Health & Wellness Database at PA Racing Commission meeting
The United States Trotting Association is ramping up efforts to greatly increase industry participation in its Equine Health & Wellness Database, which was launched in 2024.
Hoof Beats: The ‘Write’ Stuff
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: The sport we love was built, in large measure, by people whose bylines are no longer seen on a regular basis.
Hoof Beats: Varied Voices
When I started in my position at the USTA nearly 18 years ago, I was struck by the size of the association’s Board of Directors. At the time, it numbered 60, which mirrored exactly the number of full-time employees on staff at the time. Both groups have shrunk since then — especially the latter — but, at the end of this year, the USTA board still will be comprised of 58 directors, an unusually large quantity for an organization of the USTA’s size. Back in 2008, my most immediate thought was this: How will anything get done?
Hoof Beats: Summer Reading
I devoured Katie Bo Lillis’s new book, Death of a Racehorse: An American Story, over the course of two days and two nights in early May, right after it was released. I will confess to being skeptical about it before I cracked it open. The title struck me as sensationalistic, and it seems that many writers who take on integrity and welfare issues in horse racing arrive with agendas that trample objectivity. I expected the same this time.