Congratulations to Roy Smith, one of three finalists in the Leadership Award in Racing category of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA), presented by Godolphin. The track superintendent at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino, Smith has been “a track man [his] whole life.” He says he was born and raised at Indiana Grand, as his father was a trainer. He grew up walking hots, became a groom, ponied, became an assistant track superintendent, and did just about everything on the backside other than become a trainer, a route he knew he didn't want to follow. After time at Suffolk Downs, he spent 31 years as Philadelphia Park's track superintendent before coming home to Indiana Grand six years ago.
“Track superintendents are such a vital part of the overall racing scene,” said nominator Joe Carr. “As part of his lifelong passion for the industry, [Smith] has dedicated his life to the health and welfare of the horse, the rider, and the track personnel through his work. He is a global resource of racetrack management knowledge and shares that knowledge through the Track Superintendents Field Day he established over 15 years ago.”
Click for the video feature on Smith done by TIEA.
Other finalists for the Leadership Award in Racing are Carmen McShane of D/M Racing and Cindy Hutter of George Weaver Racing. The Leadership Award in Racing is presented annually to an individual who is part of Thoroughbred racing in a managerial or supervisory role and displays exceptional leadership qualities.
A total of seven award categories will be honored by TIEA for 2020. Maria Cristina Silva of New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) has already been announced as the winner of the Community Award, while the winners in the other categories will be announced live in a virtual ceremony hosted by Jill Byrne and streamed at the TDN homepage Thursday, Nov. 5, at 12:00 p.m. ET. All finalists will be spotlighted in TDN in the days leading up to the ceremony.
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