Iowa Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg to Deliver Keynote Address at National HBPA Conference on July 24

Iowa Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg

Iowa Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg will deliver the keynote address at the 2024 National HBPA Conference set for July 23-26 at Iowa’s Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack and Hotel.

Coinciding with the conference will be a starter-allowance race carrying a $50,000 purse for horses that have raced for an $8,000 claiming price or cheaper any time during their career. The top three finishers receive automatic entry into the 1 1/16-mile Kent Stirling Memorial Iron Horse, part of the eight-race Claiming Crown series that will be held Nov. 16 at Churchill Downs.

Lt. Gov. Gregg will make his remarks on Wednesday, July 24, the conference’s first of three days of panel discussions and presentations. The keynote address is always a highlight of the conference, with the National HBPA seeking out timely and inspiring speakers.

Gregg has served as Iowa’s 47th Lieutenant Governor alongside Governor Kim Reynolds since 2019, having been acting lieutenant governor from 2017 to 2019. His role includes chairing the Governor’s FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform and Co-Chair of the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. Lt. Gov. Gregg also serves on the executive committee of the National Lieutenant Governors Association and is the former chair of the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association.

An honors graduate of Drake University Law School, Lt. Gov. Gregg was a practicing attorney before joining the Office of the Governor as legislative liaison and policy advisor. He subsequently was appointed State Public Defender in 2014, leading a 220-employee organization focused on providing constitutional right to counsel for Iowans. In that capacity, he modernized the agency by moving processes online while increasing the ability to detect fraudulent claims for taxpayer dollars. Lt. Gov. Gregg also launched a new division that investigates potential wrongful convictions in the criminal justice system. He also was chosen for the non-profit, bi-partisan Aspen Institute’s Rodel Fellowship, a national leadership development program for elected leaders.

The future lieutenant governor played football for Central College, graduating in 2006 with a B.A. in political science and history. He resides in Urbandale with wife Cari and children Jackson and Lauren.

National HBPA President and Chairman of the Board Dr. Doug Daniels said Lt. Gov. Gregg brings an important voice to the conference, which is designed to provide additional insight and clarity into horse racing’s most important issues.

“We’re extremely honored to have Lt. Gov. Gregg speak at our conference,” Dr. Daniels said. “In the heartland of America, Iowa represents a snapshot of our industry overall: the many challenges faced as well as the strengths, including the sizable agribusiness created by Prairie Meadows and the horsemen and the resulting thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

“Iowa’s elected officials have been incredibly supportive of the state’s horsemen, including U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley and the office of the Attorney General. Lt. Gov. Gregg speaking at our conference reaffirms that support in a very public way. And a big shout out to Iowa HBPA Executive Director Jon Moss for lining up the Lieutenant Governor for us as well as working with Prairie Meadows on our Claiming Crown prep race.”

The Prairie Meadows prep for the Claiming Crown will be 1 1/16 miles on dirt. The top three finishers earn a free berth in the Kent Stirling Memorial Iron Horse with identical conditions Nov. 16 at Churchill Downs.

Conceived to be a Breeders’ Cup-style event for claiming horses, the Claiming Crown was created in 1999 by the National HBPA and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). The program gives thoroughbred racing’s workhorses, their owners and trainers a day in the spotlight in recognition of their importance to filling out race cards across the nation.

“This is terrific having a Claiming Crown prep race with a big purse on the evening our conference participants will be enjoying a day at the races at Prairie Meadows,” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA. “We appreciate the enthusiasm the Iowa HBPA and Prairie Meadows have shown for hosting our conference and putting on a Claiming Crown prep.

“We think the $50,000 purse will attract horses from the Midwest, Southwest and East Coast. This also will be a great way to bring early attention to the Nov. 16 Claiming Crown at Churchill Downs.”

For more information about the National HBPA Conference, including the agenda and registration, click here.