The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association will honor the memory of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas by establishing the D. Wayne Lukas Award, to be given annually to a New York-based assistant trainer who demonstrates the qualities the late Hall of Fame horsemen exemplified: dedication, a strong work ethic, and a high commitment to excellence.
Owners and trainers will be invited to nominate an assistant trainer for the $10,000 award, which will typically be presented annually on Lukas's birthday of Sept 2. NYTHA will put together a panel of horsemen and women to determine the award winner. Details will be released later this month.
Many of Lukas’s former assistants have gone on to enjoy great success after going out on their own. That list includes Todd Pletcher, Kiaran McLaughlin, Mark Hennig, Dallas Stewart, Mike Maker, George Weaver, Bobby Barnett, and Randy Bradshaw.
“‘The Coach’ mentored countless young people, and so many of his assistants have gone on to have their own remarkable careers,” NYTHA president Tina Marie Bond said in a release. “Assistant trainers are crucial to the success of every stable, and we wanted to recognize their contribution in honor of Wayne. His commitment to his craft, his love of horse racing, and his willingness to share his deep knowledge set a standard that we must all strive to match.”
NYRA hires chief experience officer
The New York Racing Association on Wednesday announced the appointment of Katie Keenan as senior vice president/chief experience officer.
Keenan is a global live event and venue operations executive with two decades of sports industry experience. Prior to joining NYRA, she was vice president for live events and operations for the National Football League, where she led the planning and delivery of the NFL’s marquee events, including the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, and its series of international games.
At NYRA, Keenan’s role will be to develop and implement strategies aligned with NYRA’s commitment to providing a premier on-track experience for racing fans, participants, and stakeholders. Accordingly, she will oversee NYRA’s hospitality offerings and guest-facing operations at the new Belmont Park, scheduled to open in the fall of 2026, and Saratoga Race Course.
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