Money laundering, licensing, ethics, the relationship between the investigator and the media, human trafficking, an overview of Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) and an in-depth case study at Rillito Park Racetrack are just some of the session topics that the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) will cover during their 2023 conference, which will be held from Sunday, Feb. 26 to Wednesday, Mar. 1 at the University of Arizona and The Lodge on the Desert in Tucson. True to form, the agenda places a strong emphasis on training in order to provide participants with security and investigative backgrounds access to the latest tradecraft and the opportunity to network with other members.
On Monday night the annual awards dinner will feature a keynote address by Melissa Del Bosque, author of Bloodlines: The True Story of a Drug Cartel, the FBI and the Battle for a Horse-Racing Dynasty (2018). Remarks by Robert Hartman, Chairman, University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) is also a part of the program. Additionally, an awards ceremony will include the John F. Wayne Lifetime Membership Award, and present Lifetime and ORI Board Members will also be recognized. A business meeting for members will take place on the final day of the conference. Click here, for the complete ORI Conference schedule. If you would like to receive Press Releases from ORI, please email: racinginvestigatormedia@gmail.com.
SUNDAY Feb. 26
Welcome and Reception
MONDAY, Feb. 27
Money Laundering in Horse Racing, Mike McDaniel, Special Agent High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas
Thoroughbred Racing in Southern Africa, Riaan Janse van Rensburg, Senior Special Investigator, National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa
Regulatory Oversight & Investigations, T.C. Lane, Chief Operating Officer, United States Trotting Association
Back to Basics: Medications and Signs to Look For, Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinary Officer, 1/ST Racing
Case Study, Jason Klouser, Director of Enforcement, Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission
Practical Searches at Rillito Park, Led by ORI Board Members
Dinner and Awards Banquet, including Keynote Address by Melissa Del Bosque, Author, Bloodlines: The True Story of a Drug Cartel, the FBI and the Battle for a Horse-Racing Dynasty (2018)
TUESDAY, Feb. 28
Ethics in Horse Racing, Philip O’Hara, Assistant Professor, University of Arizona Racetrack Industry Program
The Siege: The Relationship Between the Investigator & the Media, J.N. Campbell, Associate Editor, Thoroughbred Daily News
Human Trafficking, Heidi Chance, Special Agent, Arizona Department of Gaming
Licensing and Verification of Identity, Connie Estes, Presiding Steward, Sunland Park
Drugs and Alcohol on the Backside, Darrell Farwell, Investigator, Washington Horse Racing Commission
Employee Retention, Merlinda Gonzalez, Vice-President of Operations, Lone Star Park
Barn Area Surveillance, Corey Martinez, Equine Surveillance Manager, 1/ST Racing
HIWU Overview, Shawn Loehr, Director of Investigative Operations
Closing Remarks
WEDNESDAY, Mar. 1
ORI Membership Business Meeting