Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: California
Specific Racing Interest: Thoroughbred Racing, Breeding
Ryan entered the sport in 1999 during Charismatic’s Triple Crown run. Ryan, an avid sports follower, turned from the casual five-week racing viewer into a true fan when he was captivated by the significance and the difficulty of the Triple Crown. Following the excitement of the American equine hero Tiznow, Ryan developed a desire to get a piece of the action. As Ryan’s knowledge and passion have grown, he has become more determined to bring horse racing back into the mainstream of American sports and entertainment. Ryan believes this is a responsibility for everybody involved in the industry, both now and in the future. Ryan seeks to become involved in the management of racing partnerships as well as the thoroughbred breeding industry.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: December 2007
Home State: New Mexico
Specific Racing Interest: Regulation, Lobbying, Public Policy
Alicia’s interests in racing started at a young age when her father took her to Santa Anita and Hollywood Park during the summer. After spending many weekends at the racetrack she began to wonder how she could pursue a career in horseracing. That’s how she discovered the RTIP at The University of Arizona. She would like to pursue what will allow her to blend her previous experience and education into a career working as a steward, for a lobbying firm that handles horse racing interests, or for a state racing commission. Alicia previously worked as a staff assistant to U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and as an intern for U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) in Washington, D.C. She has also worked as program coordinator for the Center for Legal Education at The State Bar of New Mexico.
Status: Senior, Second Degree
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: Arizona
Specific Racing Interest: Media, Journalism, Public Relations
Internship Experience: Lone Star Park
Kate became interested in horse racing at age 10 when she saw the Kentucky Derby on TV at her grandparent’s house. While growing up she went to Del Mar and Santa Anita for several Pacific Classics, a Breeder’s Cup, and the Santa Anita Derby. Kate also went to the 2005 Kentucky Derby. Kate has a Bachelor of Arts in history from The University of Arizona, with a minor in English. Kate is on the National Dean’s List and has worked on the Exceller Fund Independent Study. Kate also wrote for the Pima Community College Newspaper, the Aztec Press. She has a double major with Journalism.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: California
Specific Racing Interest: Racing Organizations, Race Track Management
Internship Experience: Thoroughbred Owner's of California
Throughout Jordyn’s time at the Race Track Industry Program, she has expanded her knowledge of the racing industry immensely. During her first year at the RTIP, she worked on an independent study project that developed a business plan for the non-profit organization, The Exceller Fund. During the summer of 2005, she worked as barn foreman for Howard Zucker. Jordyn’s involvement with the RTIP led to a fantastic internship with the Thoroughbred Owners of California during the spring of 2006. After the internship was officially through, she continued to work part time with TOC at Del Mar, and also filled a part time position in the office of the Paymaster of Purses at DMTC. Jordyn looks forward to graduating in May and utilizing the tools and experiences that these past years in the RTIP have equipped her with to play her part in the industry.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: Arizona
Specific Racing Interest: Racing Regulation
Internship Experience: Arizona Department of Racing
Rita has been licensed on the backside of the race track as everything except a jockey or exercise rider. Rita’s internship with the Arizona Department of Racing gave her experience in all of the positions on the official side of the track. As a result of the internship, Rita was hired as a paddock judge and identifier on the Arizona Fair Circuit. With the Racing Official’s Accreditation Program coursework behind her, Rita is working as steward at the greyhound track and on the Arizona Fair circuit. These are some of the final steps of the accreditation process. The accreditation in both thoroughbred and greyhound racing, along with graduation in May, will be a fulfillment of the goals she set many years ago.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: Washington
Specific Racing Interest: Race Analyst, Regulation, Racing Syndicates
Internship Experience: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Eric was first introduced to horseracing at the old Longacres racetrack in Seattle during its final season. Once the track shut down, he found out how much he missed the racing. A friend of Eric’s was about to move to Southern California and asked if Eric wanted to go along. Seeing this as an opportunity to get closer to the Southern California racing circuit, he jumped at the chance. Not knowing about the RTIP yet, he managed a business in the Del Mar area for many passionless years until he read Bob Baffert’s book “Dirt Road to the Derby”, in which Baffert described a university that had a program designed specifically for people who wanted to be in the industry. Eric packed his bags, and moved to Tucson within two months of finding out about the program and all it could offer to someone like him.
Status: Senior, Second Degree
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: California
Specific Racing Interest: Marketing, Public Relations
Stu’s love for racing began with a free backside breakfast among owners and drivers at the Freehold Raceway in New Jersey back in 1952 and has come full circle with his attendance at the University of Arizona, where he hopes to fill his academic appetite. Stu holds a Bachelor’s degree (History/Political Science) from Rutgers and a Master’s degree (Fine Arts—Motion Pictures/Television) from Columbia University (where he also taught). For the last 40 years Stu has freelanced in many motion picture and television crafts for the major networks as well as the major Hollywood studios. He hopes to use his production knowledge coupled with a storytelling skill to find a niche in marketing and public relations.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: Illinois
Specific Racing Interest: Applications of New Technologies in Training
John first grew fascinated with horses when he was about 10 years old. Though his family had no particular interest in horses, he found those who did and learned all he could from them. While volunteering at a therapeutic horseback riding facility, he grew interested in stadium jumping (not over stadiums, of course) and dressage. His love of the Thoroughbred grew from the number of ex-racehorses the therapeutic facility adopted or had donated.
Status: Senior, Second Degree
Graduation Date: December 2007
Home State: Arizona
Specific Racing Interest: Race Track Operations/Management
Fred first became interested in horse racing when he accompanied his dad on Saturday afternoons to Aqueduct and Belmont race tracks. Since that time Fred has lived in a number of places in the U.S. always managing to frequent the local race tracks. He became a resident of Tucson in 1993 and became aware of the RTIP but never thinking that he would have the opportunity to attend. This year as his family circumstances changed he is now a member of the program. Fred has had a successful managerial career in the call center industry, and wants to use his managerial expertise in an industry that excites him. Fred holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Pace University. Outside of racing he loves to spend time with his 3 daughters and 2 grandchildren.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: Washington
Specific Racing Interest: Racing Law, Regulation
Ryen has loved horses her entire life. At the age of 13, she was drawn into the sport by the wonderful story of Charismatic and has been hooked ever since. Through the efforts of Kids to the Cup, Ryen was able to get up close and personal with the racing world, which was monumentally life changing. It was through Kids to the Cup that she knew that racing was forever to be a part of her life. She is also a Political Science major with a Pre-law minor, and after she graduates from The University of Arizona she hopes to go on to law school and use her knowledge to help further the racing industry in all areas.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home Country: Ireland
Specific Racing Interest: Marketing, Sales, Management
Growing up in Dublin, Ireland, it is hard not to become involved with horses. Victoria was 12 when she went to her first race, the Irish Grand National, with her cousins from England. It was such an interesting sight—men running around, papers and tickets on the ground, bets being taken, and odds changing on the chalkboards. After that, she began going to local point-to-point races. Victoria is interested in all avenues of careers in the horse industry.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: Arizona
Specific Racing Interest: Farm Management, Breeding, Sales Prep., Training
Hilary first became interested in horses when she was 12 years old. In high school she was a member of the United States Pony Club, as well as 4-H where she gained valuable experience in horse care. Before coming to The University of Arizona, Hilary worked as a riding instructor and barn manager for a riding school. While attending the U of A, Hilary works at the university horse unit with regular barn work, as well as assisting with foaling, collecting stallions, and training weanlings. She plans to live overseas and participate in the breeding industry.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: California
Specific Racing Interest: Equine Reproduction, Farm Management
Internship Experience: Los Alamitos Race Course
Ali’s interest in horses was fed at a young age while taking dressage lessons. Her interests shifted to racing when she joined Kids to the Cup and began visiting her local southern California tracks as much as possible. Ali worked at Taylor Made Farm in the summer of 2005 in the yearling division and worked sales for their consignment as well as for Berkey Bloodstock. In the summer of 2006 Ali worked at Los Alamitos Race Course where she worked in almost every department at least once. She even made her big break on TVG! Ali loved every second of the internship.
Status: Visiting Student
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: Iowa
Specific Racing Interest: Regulation, Equine Law Practice
Patrick will graduate in May 2007 with a Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa. He came to the RTIP so that he could parlay a lifetime horse racing passion and his legal education into a career. He has demonstrated a modicum of talent as a handicapper as he has twice qualified for the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship. Patrick is interested in data analysis and he is currently working on a team project that is investigating the efficiency of thoroughbred pari-mutuel exotics over time.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: Arizona
Specific Racing Interest: Regulatory Issues, Breeding, Training
Whitney was born and raised in Tucson where she developed an interest in horses at an early age. She received an Associate degree from Pima Community College with an emphasis in paralegal studies. After entering The University of Arizona’s Equine Science Program, she heard about the RTIP and immediately changed her direction. Whitney was recently hired on as a Campus Ambassador for Philip Morris USA after a successful summer internship and is receiving additional business management education through her involvement as president of Students In Free Enterprise.
Status: Senior, Second Degree
Graduation Date: May 2008
Home State: California
Specific Racing Interest: Thoroughbred Bloodstock, Track Management/Marketing
Donny first heard about the RTIP program from an alum when he was standing at the Santa Anita rail before a race. He’s followed racing since the age of seven, getting hooked after watching Ferdinand and Willie Shoemaker win the Kentucky Derby. Growing up in Southern California, he went to Santa Anita a few times a year with his Dad. As soon as he was old enough, he became a regular at the other southern California tracks. Donny’s interests are in the breeding aspect of racing and he hopes to own his own breeding farm. Donny is also very interested in marketing and track management and attracting new fans to the Sport of Kings. He believes that horse racing is a thrilling spectator sport and should still be one of the most popular in America. Donny received a degree in Business Administration from UCR in 2005.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: New York
Specific Racing Interest: Thoroughbred Training
Internship Experience: Shug McGaughey
Susie discovered racing at the age of eight and has wanted to be involved in the industry ever since. Over the years, she has been an active member in Kids to the Cup and the United Thoroughbred Fan Clubs prior to that. Susie has spent several summers as a volunteer at a layup facility near Belmont Park, which put her in contact with horses owned and trained by some of the biggest names in the business. In addition, she has spent time as a hotwalker for D. Wayne Lukas. Most recently, Susie had the summer of her life as an intern for Shug McGaughey. Spending as much time as she does at the New York tracks, Susie dabbles in racetrack photography and has captured many of the best horses in the sport over the past eight years. She also works as an editorial assistant for Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred. She hopes to one day become a successful thoroughbred trainer.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: Arizona
Specific Racing Interest: Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Track Management
Internship Experience: Buttonwood Farm
Jenna’s first experience with horses was riding her grandfather’s ex-racehorse. Currently, her family owns and races American Quarter Horses and Jenna is actively involved with both their training and breeding. Jenna also helps out with the Arizona Quarter Horse Racing Association and does whatever she can to get more involved with racing in her home state. Jenna spent last summer gaining more knowledge about Thoroughbreds on an international level in New Zealand, adding to her experiences gained while interning at Buttonwood Farm in New York and working the 2005 Keeneland September Sale for Taylor Made Farm. While attending the University of Arizona, Jenna is gaining a greater perspective on the racing industry and is still hoping to learn more about the business.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: New Mexico
Specific Racing Interest: Management
Internship Experience: New Mexico Horsemen's Association
Racing captivated William from his first introduction to the sport by family friends. His desire to learn every aspect of horse racing led him to owning and training racehorses as well as becoming active purchasing young prospects at auction. His work experiences outside the racing industry include sales, marketing, and management. Because of his love for racing, he decided to refocus his career choice and attend the RTIP. This past summer he interned with the executive director of The New Mexico Horsemen’s Association. The experience was invaluable in gaining an understanding of the complexities that racing faces. William believes that the RTIP is preparing him with skills and experiences that are invaluable to him and any future employer.
Status: Graduate Student
Graduation Date: December 2007
Home State: Pennsylvania
Specific Racing Interest: Bloodstock, Track Management, International Racing
Dan was captivated with horse racing from the moment he saw a race on television. Growing up in Philadelphia, he spent many afternoons at Philadelphia Park and Delaware Park. After obtaining a B.A. in English from Haverford College in 1998 and an M.S. in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern University in 2003, Dan worked from 2003-2006 as the Director of Broadcasting, Communications, and Sales for the Missouri River Otters, a minor league hockey team in suburban St. Louis. After three years with that organization, he decided that a career in horse racing was his real passion, and entered the RTIP’s newly created graduate program. Dan is fascinated with bloodstock and pedigrees, along with racetrack operations, and would love to work in bloodstock or at a racetrack.
Status: Senior, Second Degree
Graduation Date: December 2007
Home State: Maryland
Specific Racing Interest: Track Management, Racing/Breeding Syndicates
David’s interest in the thoroughbred industry is rather new as he visited Saratoga Race Track for the first time in 2000. David graduated with a B.S. in Finance and Economics from James Madison University. Shortly after that, he experienced his first horse sale at Keeneland in September and became even more fascinated. Immediately after that, he began working at Taylor Made, where he stayed for 10 months and experienced everything from yearling sales and mare prep/sales, foaling, breeding, and foal/weanling care. Eventually David would like to run a racetrack and then start a racing/breeding syndicate.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: Georgia
Specific Racing Interest: Thoroughbred Training
Originally from Atlanta, Ian has spent the past three summers working for champion trainer Todd Pletcher. During the summer of 2005, he was the groom of eventual Grade 1 winner Wait A While, among others, and this past summer worked as a barn foreman for Pletcher’s string at Saratoga Race Course. Previously, Ian worked at Taylor Made Farm where he raised yearlings and researched pedigrees of sales prospects. Through dedication and an intense work ethic, Ian strives to become an industry leader.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: May 2007
Home State: Utah
Specific Racing Interest: Bloodstock, Breeding, Farm Management
Internship Experience: Vessels Stallion Farm
Chance grew up watching his father ride American Quarter Horse races all through the intermountain west. It was his involvement that convinced Chance to pursue a career in the industry and attend the RTIP. Now in his third year at the University, Chance has been working as an assistant starter, valet, and exercise rider on the Arizona Fair Circuit and Yavapai Downs. Previously, Chance worked with United Tote at Belmont, Aqueduct, and Keeneland, training pari-mutuel tellers on their new system. He has also assisted Berkey Bloodstock Agency working at California yearling thoroughbred sales. In August, Chance completed an eight month internship at Vessels Stallion Farm in Bonsall, California, where he assisted everywhere from the breeding shed, to prepping sales yearlings, to the training track. Upon graduation he seeks to be involved in raising and selling yearlings, as well as managing racing prospects.
Status: Senior
Graduation Date: December 2007
Home State: Arizona
Specific Racing Interest: Thoroughbred Breeding and Training, Greyhounds
Ali became interested in racing when her family adopted a greyhound from the Greyhound Adoption League (GAL) of Arizona in 2001. Since adopting her greyhound, Ali has volunteered with GAL to help other retired racers find forever homes. This past summer, Ali visited Kentucky and went to various tracks, training facilities and farms. This sparked her interest in breeding and training of thoroughbreds. Since racing is so new to Ali, she is fascinated and open to everything that has to do with racing.
Status: Graduate Student
Graduation Date: December 2007
Home State: New Jersey
Specific Racing Interest: Racetrack Management, Business Operations
Growing up in northern New Jersey, Erich’s interest in racing began in the shadows of the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park. After graduating with a B.A. from Georgetown University in 1998, Erich did what every Georgetown Graduate does– he became a racing official of Suffolk Downs, a position he held in 1998, 1999 and again in 2000. After leaving Suffolk, Erich spent the next four years earning a law degree and M.B.A. from Rutgers University. After a two year stint as a corporate attorney at a prominent Wall Street law firm, Erich knew his true passion was in the racing industry and saw the RTIP as a perfect fit. Erich is interested in the finances of racing and racetrack management.