Page 10 - November 2020

TRACK CHATTER
THE MONTH IN REVIEW
by Jennifer K. Hancock
SYMPOSIUM ON RACING RESCHEDULED
The University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program recently announced the cancellation of this year’s Symposium on Racing.
The RTIP’s annual Global Symposium on Racing, which had been held in Tucson, Arizona, each December since 1974, attracts attendees representing Thoroughbred, Standardbred, American Quarter Horse, Greyhound, and Racino interests from across the United States and internationally. Dates have been set for the popular event to return next year.
The 2021 Symposium is scheduled for Dec. 6-8, at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson.
“Given the continuing restrictions from the University of Arizona, and the community at large, on the size and type of gatherings allowed, as well as the continued restrictions on travel and the reluctance of many to travel, the only choice was to wait to hold the event,” said Arizona RTIP Director Wendy Davis. “Although we are saddened that we must skip this year, the RTIP looks forward to again hosting everyone in 2021 as we have for the last 46 years.”
TEXAS SETS 2021 DATES
At the end of September, the Texas Racing Commission approved racing dates for 2021. The Commission approved 166 days of racing for the state’s four racetracks.
Sam Houston Race Park will kick off racing in the state with a 43-day meet for Thoroughbreds on Jan. 8. The Thoroughbreds will race at the Houston track until March
27. About a month later, the 23-day spring Quarter Horse meet will begin. Sam Houston’s Quarter Horse meet will begin April 23 and run through June 12.
Retama Park will host a 20-day Quarter Horse season beginning on June 24. The track
located near San Antonio, will wrap up its sprint meet Aug. 7.
The Gillespie County Fair in Fredericksburg will again host eight days of mixed racing over four weekends in July and August.
Lone Star Park will host a total of 69 race days in 2021 split between 42 Thoroughbred days and 27 days for Quarter Horses. The Grand Prairie track will begin its Thoroughbred meet on April 16 and conclude July 18. The Quarter Horse season starts Sept. 10 and will run until Nov. 27.
Visit www.txrc.texas.gov for the complete Texas 2021 racing calendar.
WYOMING’S 2021 DATES ANNOUNCED
The Wyoming Gaming Commission has approved the Cowboy State’s 2021 race dates.
A total of 50 race dates are scheduled for next year. The state will kick off the 2021 dates with a 16-day meet at Energy Downs in Gillette from May 22 to June 27.
Wyoming Downs will conduct an 18-day season, which is two days more than last year. The Evanston track will host races June 12-Aug. 8.
Sweetwater Downs in Rock Springs will conclude the state’s race calendar with a 16- day meet scheduled to begin Aug. 14 and wrap on Sept. 26.
To view the Wyoming racing calendar, visit gaming.wyo.gov.
NEW SECRETARY IN INDIANA
On Oct. 26, Chris Polzin, joined Indiana Grand as the track’s new director of racing
and racing secretary, a position he has held at Arlington Park near Chicago for the past 11 years.
“I’m very excited and looking forward to joining the Indiana racing program,” said Polzin. “The breeding industry in Indiana right now is fantastic, and the purse structure is very solid. I have also seen how dedicated
track management is to the horsemen and the racing program. Their commitment to see the industry grow is very impressive. I look forward to being part of that vision.”
A native of LaGrange Park, Illinois, Polzin has been associated with racing since the
early 1980s. His father, Elmer Polzin, was
a longtime turf writer and handicapper in Chicago, prompting the younger Polzin to seek a job in the industry after college. Polzin was a standout swimmer in Illinois and went on to a junior college national championship title for College of DuPage. He has held many positions at Arlington Park since the early 1980s, from press box statistician to clerk of scales and his most recent post was as director of racing and racing secretary.
“Adding Chris to our team is a big boost to our racing program,” said Eric Halstrom, Indiana Grand vice president and general manager of racing. “He is very familiar with the industry in general and brings in a unique perspective of Midwest racing from his many years on the Chicago circuit. We feel the transition for him to transfer into Indiana racing will be a seamless move.”
Indiana Grand’s Thoroughbred and and Quarter Horse meet runs through Nov. 19.
Got Good News to Share?
Do you have a positive story that you’d like to share?
Send photos and news items to Jennifer Hancock: jennifer_k_hancock@hotmail.com.
8 SPEEDHORSE November 2020