Tom Rooney: The growth of sports betting is an opportunity for racing

Tom Rooney was elected as successor to Alex Waldrop as president and chief executive of America's National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Waldropp stands down at the end of 2021. Rooney is an owner-breeder who has been involved in his family's Th thoroughbred breeding and lay-up operation in Woodbine, Maryland. He was a member of the Florida Bar from 1999 to 2009 and a Congressman from Florida from 2009 to 2019.

Dale Romans is training Eleanor Grace at Churchill Downs. Tom Rooney believes sports betting is an opportunity for racing.

Keeneland is Tom Rooney's favourite venue and race. He was there a week ago. Florida Derby is his favorite race, because it was where he took his wife on their first date.

American Pharoah came down the stretch in the Belmont Stakes. Tom Rooney was at the race with Tara and cousin Kathleen Mara.

The growth of sports betting is an opportunity for racing. Racing's biggest challenge is how to position the sport in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Ratings for Kentucky Derby continue to be strong.

Racing has gone through a lot of changes in safety and welfare in the last decade. HISA is on top of all the advancements. Racing needs to keep up the progress in these areas and reassure the public and government leaders that they're doing everything to protect the athletes.