Roy Smith, who inaugurated the racetrack superintendent field day in 2001, was honored with the Racetrack Superintendent's Innovator Award during last week's University of Arizona Race Track Industry Symposium.
A second-generation race tracker, Smith served as assistant track superintendent to Blackie Chobanian at Suffolk Downs in 1977 and he took charge after Chobanian's passing in 1981. He moved to Philadelphia Park in 1984 and worked at the Pennsylvania track for 31 years before moving to Indiana Grand in 2014.
Smith was selected for the 2023 superintendent's innovator award for his work in professionalizing the career of racetrack superintendent and introducing the concept of continuing education to the community. The idea of continuing education is now part of the Regulations of the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority. His vision of a collaborative profession focused on the safety of the horse and rider is embodied in the Superintendent's Field Day and more recently with the new version of the Dirt Panel that has been held at RTIP since 2021.
The Racetrack Superintendent's Innovator Award is given to recognize the critical professionals who maintain racing surfaces for safety and fairness.
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