Dear members of the horse racing industry,
On Jan. 17, the future of horse racing at Rillito Park will be in the balance as the Pima County Board of Supervisors will vote on whether or not to grant the track a five-year extension to continue hosting Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse races. If this request is denied, it is unlikely that horse racing will return to this historic landmark in the near future, if ever again.
As a graduate student in the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program (RTIP), I have personally experienced the benefits of Rillito Park. Since the 2015 winter meet, Rillito has hired students in the RTIP to work in crucial roles at the track ranging from operating the photo finish camera to controlling the television graphics. Our experiences at Rillito have allowed us to apply concepts in the classroom to the real world and develop skill sets that are necessary to succeed in the racing industry. For many of us, the presence of this “lab” so close to campus is what convinced us to enroll in the RTIP.
Besides the positive impact that it has on the RTIP students, Rillito Park is a beloved gem in Tucson. What this track lacks in size and glamour is made up for by the enthusiastic and passionate crowds that it attracts every weekend during its race meets. To lose this racing venue would be to deny thousands of people the opportunity to experience horse racing in person and become fans of the sport.
In advance of the board vote next Tuesday, I am requesting the assistance of the horse racing community to contact the Pima County Board of Supervisors at the addresses listed below. If Rillito ceases to exist as a racing venue, countless jobs will be lost, students of the RTIP will lose an invaluable learning site, and a national landmark will be no more. Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Alexa Ravit
Graduate Student
Race Track Industry Program
aravit@email.arizona.edu
Board of Supervisors
Ally Miller, Supervisor District 1
(520) 724-2738
district1@pima.gov
Ramon Valadez, Supervisor District 2
(520) 724-8126
district2@pima.gov
Sharon Bronson, Supervisor District 3
(520) 724-8051
district3@pima.gov
Steve Christy, Supervisor District 4
(520) 724-8094
district4@pima.gov
Richard Elias, Supervisor District 5
(520) 724-8126
district5@pima.gov
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
