Eddie Arroyo Gives RTIP Students the Steward's Perspective in Two Classes
Tucson, AZ — Eddie Arroyo, the chief steward of the Illinois Racing Board, paid a visit to the Race Track Industry Program on Wednesday, April 5. Arroyo spoke in The Joe Hirsch Speaker Series and the Advanced Animal Racing Laws and Enforcement class.
A former jockey, Arroyo has held several positions in horse racing. After retiring from the saddle, Arroyo served as an assistant steward in Illinois. He also served as assistant to the president of Arlington Park, general manager of Sportsman’s Park, and has worked with Codere, a gaming company with a presence in South America and Europe.
During The Joe Hirsch Speaker Series, Arroyo talked about his background in racing and how he came to be a jockey and racing official. He discussed how important it is for racetracks to adapt to current times and avoid being stuck in the status quo. He also mentioned the success of Arlington Park in attracting families to the races by maintaining a clean facility and offering impeccable customer service.
In the Advanced Racing Laws and Enforcement class, Arroyo went over the day to day duties of a steward and the different jobs performed in the mornings versus in the afternoons during live racing. He provided insight into scratch procedures, protocol in the case of medication violations, and procedures that are followed if a trainer is suspended. He concluded his lecture by watching old race footage with the class and walking students through the process of a stewards’ inquiry and what to look for when determining whether or not a horse should be disqualified.