Hollywood and Horsepower Show, February 26, 2026

Hollywood and Horsepower Show with Mark Otto Guest, Bryan Pettigrew, Vice President and GM of Texas Racing operations for Penn Entertainment- Sam Houston Park and Retama Park horse racing tracks Hollywood and Horsepower: Brian Pettigrew on the Global Evolution and Texas Revival of Horse Racing Hollywood & Horsepower: Bryan Pettigrew A career retrospective on sports marketing, global racing traditions, and the Texas revival. Mode: Editorial Core Perspective "The Breeders' Cup is like the Olympics, World Cup, and Super Bowl all combined into one international championship." Strategic Pillars • The "League Office" Model: Pettigrew pioneered the operational merger between NTRA and Breeders' Cup to market racing as a year-round national sport. • The Texas Horse Society: Successfully attracting the 25-35 demographic by emphasizing fashion, networking, and "dressing to the nines." • Legislative Strategy: Navigating the unique Texas biennial budget system to secure purse funding via the Horse Industry Escrow Account. The Guest Profile BP Bryan Pettigrew VP/GM, Texas Racing (PENN) Career Roadmap Remington ParkIntern → Mgr Sam HoustonMarketing Head NTRA / Breeders' CupGlobal VP PENN EntertainmentCurrent Key Tags #SportsMarketing #TexasRacing #BreedersCup #JohnDeere ⏱ 80 min interview📍 Sam Houston & Retama Park Hollywood & Horsepower Podcast In this episode of Hollywood and Horsepower, host Marc Otto sits down with Brian Pettigrew, Vice President and General Manager of Texas Racing for PENN Entertainment. The discussion spans Pettigrew’s illustrious career—from his early days in Oklahoma to the international stage of the Breeders' Cup—and explores the current legislative and social efforts to modernize horse racing in Texas. Detailed Point Summary The Foundation of a Racing Career Brian Pettigrew’s journey into the horse racing industry began somewhat unexpectedly during his junior year at the University of Oklahoma. Seeking a summer internship in sports management, he joined Remington Park, a facility then owned by the DeBartolo Corporation, which also held the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Penguins. This "crash course" in management exposed him to various equine disciplines beyond racing, including dressage and show jumping, providing a diversified foundation that would define his professional approach. The Texas Expansion and Marketing Innovation In 1995, Pettigrew moved to Sam Houston Race Park during the first wave of pari-mutuel wagering in Texas. At the time, the Houston market was largely unfamiliar with the betting side of the sport. Pettigrew led marketing efforts that utilized high-energy promotions, such as concerts and giveaways, successfully drawing crowds of over 25,000 people to the track. He emphasizes that horse racing is a multifaceted entertainment industry, encapsulating hospitality, music, and diverse equine disciplines rather than just the singular event of a race. Career Trajectory: Brian Pettigrew Remington Park Internship & Early Mgmt. → Sam Houston Marketing Leadership → NTRA / Breeders' Cup Global Strategy "A career built on the intersection of sports, entertainment, and international hospitality." The National Stage and International Diplomacy Pettigrew’s career eventually took him to Lexington, Kentucky, the "heart" of the industry, to work for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and the Breeders' Cup. This role elevated him to a global level, where he managed international sponsorships and recruited horses from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. He shares unique anecdotes from this period, including meeting Queen Elizabeth II through a partnership with John Deere and facilitating equipment deals for Sheikh Mohammed’s Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. He describes the Breeders' Cup as a "World Championship" that combines the prestige of the Olympics with the excitement of the Super Bowl. The Future of Texas Racing: Legislation and Youth Engagement Now back in Texas with PENN Entertainment, Pettigrew is focused on two primary fronts: legislative reform and audience diversification. He spends significant time in Austin advocating for updated gaming laws to include sports betting and casino games, which would bolster the industry's economic viability. Simultaneously, he is championing the "Texas Horse Society," an initiative targeting 25-to-35-year-old professionals. This program leverages the social and fashion aspects of racing—such as the tradition of dressing up in fascinators and fedoras—to introduce a new generation to the sport in a way that feels experimental and outgoing. Texas Racing: Strategic Pillars 🏛️ Legislative Advocacy: Pursuing gaming law changes in Austin to support industry growth. 🏇 Safety & Infrastructure: Investing capital to ensure tracks are safe for horses and jockeys. 🥂 Youth Outreach: The "Texas Horse Society" targeting the 25-35 executive demographic. 💰 Economic Model: Utilizing the Horse Industry Escrow Account for purses and marketing. Key Data PENN Entertainment Reach: Operates 43 properties across 20 different states. Texas Racing History: Sam Houston Race Park was the first Class I racing facility to open in Texas in 1994. Economic Incentives: The "Horse Industry Escrow Account" in Texas redirects taxes on horse-related products back into race purses and marketing. Accessibility: Entry to Sam Houston Race Park remains highly cost-effective with tickets priced at $5. To-Do / Next Steps Continue active engagement with the Texas legislature during their biennial sessions to advance gaming and sports betting laws. Organize and host the fifth Texas Horse Society event in Dallas to further expand the young professional fan base. Maintain ongoing capital investment in Sam Houston and Retama Park facilities to ensure top-tier safety standards for all participants. Promote the "Horse Country" farm tour model to increase public accessibility to Texas equine operations, similar to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Conclusion Brian Pettigrew’s career reflects the evolution of horse racing from a traditional pastime into a sophisticated global entertainment brand. By blending international prestige with local grassroots marketing and legislative strategy, he aims to position Texas as a premier destination for racing. His message is clear: whether through fashion, gambling, or the sheer beauty of the animal, the sport remains a unique and accessible American tradition that is ripe for a modern revival.