University of Louisville schedules lectures on racing topics

The University of Louisville's Equine Industry Program will examine topics including racetrack surfaces and sports betting during a free series of lectures this fall.

“It is important for our program to be a leader in bringing stakeholders together for open dialogues addressing the matters that affect our industry,” program director Sean Beirne said in a press release announcing the series. “Our goal is to bring experts to campus in a fun and engaging platform to educate our students, industry participants, and the general public about topical issues.”

The series begins Sept. 18 with a lecture entitled "The Business of Racetrack Surfaces," which intends to examine what steps tracks take to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of racehorses. Serving as experts on the panel will be the University of Kentucky's Mick Peterson, an expert on the engineering of track surfaces; Jamie Richardson, track superintendent at Churchill Downs; and trainer Michael Dickinson, creator of the Tapeta synthetic surface. Churchill Downs's Jim Mulvihill will moderate the panel.

On Oct. 9, the panel will present an evening with legendary track announcer Tom Durkin, before wrapping the series up on Nov. 13 with an in-depth look at the introduction of sports wagering in states and how horse racing can coexist with this form of gaming. Bill Knauf, vice president of business operations for Monmouth Park, will discuss how that state’s sports-wagering law has changed Monmouth’s operations. Kentucky state Rep. Adam Koenig, who plans to introduce a sports wagering bill in the Kentucky legislature, will discuss the bill and its goals.

All three events will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Chao Auditorium in the lower level of Ekstrom Library on Louisville’s Belknap Campus. Tickets are required to attend the free events. For ticket information, contact Liz Young at liz.young@louisville.edu.