Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas will deliver the keynote address at the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA)'s annual convention in March. The conference will be held Mar. 1-5 at Oaklawn Park's new hotel overlooking the first turn.
“When we seek out our keynote speaker, we look for inspiration and passion,” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA. “Not only do we get that in spades with D. Wayne Lukas, but his overall legacy is unmatched in horse racing. Yet it's not only that Wayne has impacted so many aspects of racing with his well-known accomplishments and vision. He also has been an extraordinary ambassador for our industry in so many unpublicized and behind-the-scenes ways. There's no telling how many little kids will become diehard racing enthusiasts because D. Wayne invited them into the winner's circle after one of his victories.”
Lukas, 86, will give his address Wednesday, Mar. 2. The convention will also include legal topics and discussions centering on the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA); crisis-management recommendations; ideas for creating positive interactions with local, state, and federal representatives; ways to utilize the guest-worker visa programs; fixed odds' place in American racing; and the annual Kent Stirling Memorial Medication Panel addressing the need for screening limits. Other speakers will include Louis Cella, president of Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.
For more information, visit nationalhbpa.com.
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