New Rillito Park steward bolsters University of Arizona relationship
Rillito Race Track General Manager Michael Weiss recently announced the hiring of Dan Fick as association steward for the Arizona faciltiy’s winter meet.
Fick has an extensive career in horse racing and is also on the advisory council of the Race Track Industry Program at the University of Arizona, with whom Rillito has a robust internship relationship.
Fick participated in the Race Track Industry Program while a student at the University of Arizona. He was awarded the University of Arizona RTIP Distinguished Service Award and John K. Goodman Outstanding Alumni Award and also received the Association of Racing Commissioners International William H. May Distinguished Service Award.
“The addition of Dan Fick to our team raises the bar for the horsemen, the quality of the racing at the track, and continues the move Rillito Race Track in a positive direction,” Weiss said. “I am excited because Dan will bring a high level of expertise to the PRISE student program and help us mentor students interested in the industry. It is fitting that one of the major players in racing comes home to Rillito and the UofA.”
The University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences partners with Rillito through the Paribet Racing Industry Student Experience to train up to four dozen students per season in jobs related to horse racing careers.
Fick’s experience includes stints as Executive Director and Executive Vice President of the Jockey Club, Executive Director of Racing at the American Quarter Horse Association for 19 years, and as commission executive, racing official and steward in Oklahoma, Florida, Indiana, Texas, Massachusetts and New Mexico. Fick held numerous board positions including accreditation, medication, and testing, racing advisory and racing surfaces testing.
Rillito Park Racetrack begins racing February 9 and runs every weekend through St. Patrick’s Day at the historic site famous as the birthplace of modern Quarter Horse racing.