BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Lonny Powell – ©Serita Hult

Lonny Powell, CEO and Executive Vice President at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, will provide the keynote address at this year’s Association of Racing Commissioners International Annual Meeting and Sport Integrity and Welfare Conference set for April 7-10 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Indianapolis.

This year’s conference will feature two “tracks;” one for horse racing regulators and a second for sports and gaming regulators.

Powell will speak on the state of horse racing, delivering a vision of industry opportunities and modernization.

“I want to thank the ARCI and President Ed Martin for the honor of being invited to kick off their Annual Conference as Keynote Speaker,” Powell said.

“It is particularly special to appear before ARCI having proudly served the Association as a prior President and CEO. There are so many good and accomplished memories and moments.”

Powell has been busy on the Thoroughbred industry lecture circuit since December when addressing the University of Arizona Global Symposium on Racing in Tucson, Arizona; discussing the 14-year battle in the Florida Legislature against decoupling. There he gave a cautious prediction that the FTBOA and their industry partners would again prevail. He also electrified the Symposium when announcing that the FTBOA had entered into an agreement with an entity headed by billionaire attorney John Morgan to pursue development of a Thoroughbred racetrack in Marion County, Florida. 

In March, Powell addressed the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas. There he discussed the breeder and owner-centric models of the future using the FTBOA’s wholly owned non-profit racetrack permit in Florida. Powell also updated that audience on the then upcoming defeat of decoupling in the Florida Legislative Session.

Return to the March 27 issue of Wire to Wire