Biosecurity, racetrack geometry, and best-practice turf management are among topics to be discussed at the 16th annual Track Superintendents Conference, set for June 11-13 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn., near Minneapolis.
Presenters include Dr. Roberta Dwyer, professor at the University of Kentucky's Department of Animal & Food Sciences, on biosecurity; Dr. Mick Peterson, director of the University of Kentucky's Ag Equine Programs and Dickson Professor of Equine Science and Management, as well as founder of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, reviewing racetrack geometry and turn transitions, followed by a hands-on demonstration of maintaining turn gradients with laser technologies; Jeff Johnston, Jockeys' Guild regional manager and former rider, on best practice design and installation options for modern race rails; and Dr. Lynn Hovda, Chief Commission Veterinarian, Minnesota Racing Commission, covering American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Raceday Injury Management Guidelines.
"The NTRA urges every racing, training, and arena surface manager to take advantage of this annual continuing education opportunity," said Steve Koch, Executive Director of the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance. "The presentations, displays, and the network established here annually pay off for participating tracks in terms of Best Practice surface outcomes and maximizing racing and training dates."
Additional sessions will examine wheel weights and balance for tractor efficiency and stability; tractor selection and setup (with a hands-on demo); turf management with dye and covers; and naturally balancing soils. Optional social events include a golf outing, live racing at Canterbury, a welcome reception, group dinner, and a Minnesota Twins baseball game.
Participants earn credit toward the Safety Training and Continuing Education component of the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance's Code of Standards.
The Track Superintendents Conference is sponsored by Canterbury Park, John Deere, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, The Jockey Club, NTRA, Office Depot, Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, and Sherwin-Williams. The first Track Superintendents Meeting was hosted by event co-founder Roy Smith at Philadelphia Park in 2001 with 20 participants. Last year's iteration attracted more than 100 registrants from around the world, including Dubai, Puerto Rico, Canada and England.
A PDF of the registration form is available on the NTRA website at https://www.ntra.com/16thtracksuperflyer.
For more information, including available sponsorship opportunities, please contact Heather Brown of NTRA Advantage at hbrown@ntra.com or (866) 678-4289.