Mark Johnson

Churchill Downs Incorporated (“Company” or “CDI”) (NASDAQ: CHDN) has partnered with www.HorseplayerPRO.com to provide interactive online discussions between horse racing fans and a panel of experts each race day throughout Churchill Downs’ upcoming 21-day Fall Meet. The 120th Fall Meet will begin its four-week run on Sunday, Nov. 1 and continue through Saturday, Nov. 28.

    Horseplayer PRO utilizes live chat technology in hosting an interactive experience capable of accommodating tens of thousands of participants simultaneously. The race-day chats can be accessed at www.ChurchillDowns.com or www.HorseplayerPRO.com and will begin 30 minutes before the 12:40 p.m. ET first race. The discussions will continue throughout the racing program until the final race of the day.

Fans will be able to exchange handicapping insights and receive useful handicapping information and advice from a team of experts, including Horseplayer PROs Jeremy Plonk, Joe Kristufek, Tim Turrell and Brian Spencer. Additional analysis will be provided by on-site guests such as Churchill Downs’ John Asher, Jill Byrne and Mark Johnson.

“We’re excited to team with Horseplayer PRO on this promising new online opportunity,” said Tom Jenkins, Churchill Downs Incorporated vice president. “In order to grow horse racing’s fan base and bring back lapsed customers, we need to continue to utilize modern technologies and find ways to become more fun than the other forms of entertainment with which we compete. These progressive on-line chats present an appealing and entertaining platform for customers to connect with one another and receive insightful commentary and useful handicapping information. Simultaneously, it also allows us the opportunity to showcase our product offerings and communicate to an enthusiastic and captive audience. Unquestionably, Horseplayer PRO will help broaden the scope of interaction with fans of our sport.”  
 
    In addition to hosting the race-day chats, Horseplayer PRO producers create interactive polls and a race-day scoreboard to follow winning connections, prices and track trends. The chat module is embedded into a specially designed Horseplayer PRO webpage that provides visitors a plethora of race-day information. With a simple mouse-click, chatters can find entries, weather, scratches/changes, results, jockey/trainer stats, news and selections without leaving the chat.

    “The marriage of a new-brand venture like Horseplayer PRO with some of the sport’s most renowned racing institutions makes a strong statement about the importance of horseplayers,” said Plonk, managing partner of Horseplayer PRO. “We look at the live chat experience as equal parts camaraderie and consultation, where horseplayers live and learn in real time. Our initial chat ventures with Remington Park have proven beneficial to the track brand as well as the bottom line in wagering handle.”

    “The chats give online fans a community feel,” Kristufek said. “The experience appeals to all levels of horseplayers, from the beginner to the expert. We’re all playing the races together – analyzing past performances, discussing pace scenarios, watching the odds, examining the horses in the post parade and seeking out potential track trends. The insider contributions provided on-site from the track announcer and analysts are invaluable.”

    In addition to racing from Churchill Downs, the action from Fair Grounds will be spotlighted on the Horseplayer PRO chats starting Sunday, Nov. 8. The New Orleans racetrack begins its season on Friday, Nov. 6.

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875.  Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2010. The track will conduct its 2009 Fall Meet from Sunday, Nov. 1 through Saturday, Nov. 28.  Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on November 5 and 6, 2010. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.
 
- END -

Historic Churchill Downs will raise the curtain on Saturday, April 25 on its historic 52-day Spring Meet that begins with the 135th renewals of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) and the Kentucky Oaks (Grade I), but will also be marked by first sessions of night racing in the legendary track’s history and the introduction of Mark Johnson as track announcer and the first international voice to provide the on-track call of the “Run for the Roses.”

Johnson, the British commentator who succeeds the late Luke Kruytbosch as announcer, will welcome racing fans who gather beneath the track’s historic Twin Spires on Saturday for an 11-race program opening day program that get underway with its first race at 12:45 p.m. (all times EDT).  The racing program is topped by the 85th running of the $100,000-added Derby Trial (Grade III), a 7 ½-furlong race for 3-year-olds that is the final significant prep race for the May 2 Kentucky Derby.

Racing during Kentucky Derby Week will be held daily, with the exception of Monday, through the running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2.  First race post time for each of those programs – with the exception of Oaks and Derby Days – will be 12:45 p.m. First post on Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days will be 10:30 a.m. – a half-hour earlier than last year.  Admission to the track for Derby Week, with the exception of Derby and Oaks Days, and most of the rest of the meet will be $3 for adults, $1 for Twin Spires Club members, $1 for seniors 60 and over, and free to children 12 and under.

The three-day celebration of Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Weekend kicks of with the increasingly popular Thursday program that features 10 races and is headed by the $100,000-added, Grade III Kentucky Juvenile.  That race for 2-year-olds at five furlongs is the first graded stakes event of the year for that age group.

Fans visiting the track on Thursday, April 30 will have the first opportunity to enjoy the new Infield Club as part of the “Crown Royal Festival in the Infield Club.”   The Infield Club offers the energy and excitement of the infield in a more comfortable sports-bar atmosphere.  The private section of the infield includes a 430-foot horseshoe bar, first-come first-served shaded seating, food and music.

The Infield Club will be the only infield activity at Churchill Downs on Thursday of Kentucky Derby Week.

Admission to the track for the Thursday program is $5, $1 for Twin Spires Club members and seniors 60 and over, and free to children under 12.  Admission to the Infield Club on Thursday will cost an additional $10 and will be available for purchase on that day, but advance sale of those tickets will be offered at Gate 17 each day leading up to that program.

Advance tickets for the Infield Club experience on Kentucky Oaks and Derby Days will also be offered on track at Gate 17 and will continue through Thursday.  Infield Club tickets for Kentucky Oaks Day are available for $50 and for $150 for Kentucky Derby Day.  A ticket for both of those big days can be purchased for $175.

A race has been added to both the Kentucky Oaks program on Friday, May 1 and the Kentucky Derby racing card on Saturday, May 2.  Post time for the first race on each day is 10:30 a.m. – 30 minutes earlier than last year – and admission gates open at 8 a.m.  General admission tickets will be available for both days at a cost of $25 on Oaks Day and $40 for Derby Day.

After next week’s Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Weekend, the April 25-July 5 Spring Meet will resume on Wednesday, May 6.  The meet will feature its regular schedule of stakes races that include the Grade I, $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap on June 13.  But the first sessions of night racing conducted beneath the historic Twin Spires figure to be highlights of the Spring Meet.  Temporary lighting will illuminate the historic track during those sessions of racing under the stars at Churchill Downs.

The first racing sessions in the history of the home of the Kentucky Derby are scheduled for June 19 and 26, which are Friday nights, and Thursday, July 2, an evening of racing under the lights which will serve as the kick-off for Independence Day Weekend festivities.  Post time for the three night racing sessions is set for 6 p.m.  Details of those special programs will be announced after the Kentucky Derby.

Along with the Derby Trial, Saturday’s opening day program will also feature a T-shirt Giveaway sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.  Those shirts will be given away to the first 5,000 patrons through the admission gates, which open on Saturday at 11 a.m.  And all opening day fans will have the opportunity to register for a chance to escort the famed Garland of Roses that goes to the winning horse in the Kentucky Derby to the Winner’s Circle prior to the running of America’s greatest race.  Each patron will receive a voucher at the admission gates that they can fill out and deposit at any active Fifth Third Bank ATM location at the track.

The winner will be selected in a drawing from those vouchers and that person will receive two tickets to both the Kentucky Derby and the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (GI), and the winner and a guest will help escort the prized Derby roses to the winner’s circle for the post-race salute to the winner following the “Run for the Roses.”

Sunday’s second day of the Spring Meet features a 10-race program at 12:45 p.m. that will be preceded by the unveiling of an extraordinary sculpture of Barbaro, the winner of the 2006 Kentucky Derby.  The statue was commissioned by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, who bred and owned Barbaro, and was created by Wisconsin sculptor Alexa King.  The bronze also marks the final resting place for Barbaro, who died in early 2007 following a courageous battle for life that captured the attention of the nation.  Barbaro was cremated following his passing and his remains are interred at the site, which is located at the Gate 1 entrance to Churchill Downs.

2009 Churchill Downs Spring Meet At A Glance

DATES
Saturday, April 25 through Sunday, July 5 (52 days). No racing on April 27, May 3-4-5. After Derby Week, dark on Mondays and Tuesdays except for Memorial Day week, with racing Monday, May 25 and dark days May 26-27.

LOCATION
700 Central Avenue.

GATES OPEN
Derby Week, 11 a.m., except for Kentucky Oaks/Derby Days (May 1-2), 8 a.m.
After Derby Week: 11:30 a.m. except for Fridays (1:30 p.m.)
Special Night Racing: 4 p.m. on Friday, June 19; Friday, June 26 and Thursday, July 2

POST TIMES
Derby Week, 12:45 p.m., except for Kentucky Oaks/Derby Days (May 1-2), 10:30 a.m.
After Derby Week, 12:45 p.m. except for Fridays (2:45 p.m.)
Special Night Racing: 6 p.m. on Friday, June 19; Friday, June 26 and Thursday, July 2

RACE CARD
Nine races on Wednesdays and Thursdays after Derby and July 3
10 races April 26, 28-29-30 and Sundays after Derby
11 races on opening day, Fridays and Saturdays after Derby, July 2 and July 5
12 races on Oaks Day (May 1)
13 races on Derby Day (May 2)

ADMISSION
Derby Day general admission: $40
Oaks Day general admission: $25
Thursday, April 30 general admission: $5
Night Racing Debut on Friday, June 19: $10, $1 senior citizens and Twin Spires Club members
Night Racing on Friday, June 26 and Thursday, July 2: $6, $1 senior citizens and Twin Spires Club members
All other days: $3 clubhouse and grandstand, $1 senior citizens and Twin Spires Club members; children 12 and under free when accompanied by adult.

PARKING
Free in Longfield lot (Gates 10, 12).
$3 in all other lots; $5 valet.
No on-site parking on Kentucky Oaks or Kentucky Derby Day.

PROGRAMS
$2 on-track, $2.50 off-track.
Oaks and Derby programs $5 each on-track; $5.50 each off-track.
Simulcast program $4 on-track, $4.50 off-track.

WHOLECARD WAGERING
Schedule will vary but will include Aqueduct, Arlington, Belmont, Calder, Colonial Downs, Evangeline, Golden Gate, Hawthorne, Hollywood, Hoosier, Lone Star, Louisiana Downs, Meadowlands, Monmouth, Mountaineer, Penn, Pimlico, Prairie Meadows, River Downs, Suffolk, Thistledown and Woodbine.

WAGERING FORMAT
Daily Doubles and rolling Pick 3 every race.
Exactas every race; trifectas, superfectas & over/under every race that qualifies on field size.
Super Hi-5 on the last race daily (except a special Derby Hi-5 on Derby Day).
Pick 6 on the last six races of each race card (except Oaks Day and Derby Day - races 6-11).
New 50-cent Pick 4 on races 1-4 & final four races (except Oaks Day – races 2-5, 4-7 and 8-11 – and Derby Day – races 2-5, 4-7, 8-11 and 10-13).

TELEVISION
All races except Derby live on HRTV on Insight-564 in Louisville and DISH network channel 404.

RADIO
On WHAS-840: Results and a live call of the feature race.

WEB SITE
www.churchilldowns.com

SCRATCH LINE
(502) 636-4404 or (502) 58-DOWNS

RESULTS LINE
(502) 636-4403 or (502) 58-DOWNS

TRACKSIDE OTB
4520 Poplar Level Road (962-2200)
Open at 9 a.m. Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Day. Admission $10.
Open Sunday, May 3, noon-7:30 p.m. Simulcast wagering on tracks around the nation. Admission free.
All simulcast wagering after May 3 will be held at Churchill Downs.

Click here for the full 2009 Spring Meet stakes schedule.

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009. The track’s 2009 Spring Meet is scheduled for April 25-July 5. Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships a record six times, and will host the international racing championship again on Nov. 5-6, 2010. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

Mark Johnson (biography), one of the most popular and acclaimed horse racing commentators in Britain, will bring his talents to America in 2009 as the new track announcer for Churchill Downs, home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I).

The announcement will be formally made Thursday at 10 a.m. ET by track officials during a news conference at the historic Louisville, Ky. racetrack.

"In our eyes, Mark Johnson is the complete package when it comes to a track announcer," said Churchill Downs President Steve Sexton. "He is a unique, polished and passionate talent with an absolutely infectious personality. His race calls and pre- and post-race commentary are supremely accurate, descriptive and colorful, and his knowledge of the sport of horse racing and its historical perspective is vast. It all makes for a wonderful and unique entertainment mix and we're thrilled to showcase his talents to an American and worldwide audience in 2009."

Johnson becomes only the sixth track announcer in Churchill Downs history and "Voice of the Kentucky Derby" – America's premier race which has been run every year without interruption since 1875. The 42-year-old native of Skegness, Lincolnshire, England replaces the late Luke Kruytbosch, who unexpectedly passed away July 14 from an apparent heart attack at age 47.

His selection as announcer at Churchill Downs reinforces the historic link that connects England and British racing with the Kentucky track and America's greatest race. England's classic races provided inspiration to Meriwether Lewis Clark, who founded the track and the Kentucky Derby in 1875 after a trip to that country during which he witnessed the Epsom Derby, the British classic for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds that was first run in 1780 and served as a model for the Kentucky Derby. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to witness the American classic when she attended the Kentucky Derby in 2007, and Princess Margaret, the queen's sister, was on hand to help Churchill Downs celebrate the 100th renewal of the Kentucky Derby in 1974.

When he provides on-track call and commentary for this year's 135th running of the Kentucky Derby, Johnson will become the first announcer to have called the action in both the Kentucky Derby and the Epsom Derby.

"Never in a million years did I ever think I would be in this position," said Johnson, who addressed those in attendance via videotape due to prior race commentating commitments in England this week. "It is a dream come true. As an announcer/commentator for four days at Churchill Downs this fall, it was one of the greatest experiences I could ever imagine. It was more than I could have hoped for. Then to be asked and given the honor of being the announcer at Churchill Downs has left me more in shock than anything else. I am so delighted."

Johnson, one of Britain's senior racecourse commentators and one of the main "presenters" of American racing programs for the television network Racing UK, began calling races in 1986 and has called such classics as the Epsom Derby (1998-2002) at Epsom and St. Leger Stakes (1995-2005) at Doncaster, as well as Aintree's legendary Grand National (2004-05) and most every Cheltenham Gold Cup for jumpers since 1996.

The decision-making to hire Johnson was headed by a committee of Churchill Downs executives and department heads, which also sought input from other Churchill Downs staff, officials and board members.

Johnson was part of a select group of five talented guest announcers who each spent one week behind the binoculars and microphone at Churchill Downs during the 2008 Fall Meet. The others were Larry Collmus, Bobby Neuman, Travis Stone and Michael Wrona.

During and after the Fall Meet, opinions from customers were gathered through online surveying, emails and in-person discussions, which played an important role with the selection committee.

"Mark Johnson was the top choice of the committee, the other Churchill interests, and, most importantly, our fans," said Tom Aronson, Churchill Downs Inc. Vice President and member of the selection committee. "We had in excess of 2,000 responses from customers and their input was a very important factor in our final decision. We were very impressed with all of the candidates, but when we looked at what you might call the ‘demographics' of our surveying, Mark Johnson was an across-the-board winner among more casual fans, regular players in our Twin Spires Club, and people who live in and around Louisville, Kentucky. Most notably, he polled considerably higher than anyone else in the ultimate opinion we asked of our customers after a series of qualitative questions: If you had to choose just one, who would it be? The answer was clearly Mark Johnson.

"The most common thing that we heard and saw in the responses from customers was the sense that he was painting a picture of the races before, during and after like nobody else was. His passion for horse racing really comes through the microphone and he brings a unique play-by-play approach to the announcer's booth that covers much more than just the race itself. All of us noticed his pre-race commentary on movements in the odds of horses and other developments of interest to casual fans and players alike, observations that clearly added entertainment and insight to their handicapping efforts and got everyone more engaged. We came to feel, as many others did, that Mark Johnson is a special, standout talent with great upside for Churchill Downs and the sport of horse racing, particularly in the United States. He is a unique talent and we think he is going to have a strong positive impact on what we do here."

Johnson joins an elite group of track announcers at Churchill Downs. Gene Schmidt was the first as he called races under the Twin Spires from 1940-60, and was succeeded by legendary announcer Chic Anderson through 1977. Kentucky native Mike Battaglia called the Kentucky Derby and all of the track's races from 1978-96. Kurt Becker then handled the announcing duties for two years, and his departure opened the door for Kruytbosch's arrival in 1999.

"A major, major ambition of mine has been to call a meet in America," Johnson said. "I never thought that the assignment I would be given would be Churchill Downs, which just happens to have America's greatest horse race, the Kentucky Derby! . . . Talk about icing on the cake, the Derby is like a glacier sitting on top of the cake!"

Johnson will continue to call races on two continents with assignments in England between Churchill Downs' two annual race meetings: the 52-date Spring Meet, which runs April 25 through July 5 and the 21-date Fall Meet, scheduled Nov. 1-28.

An upcoming assignment includes a race call for the inaugural $150,000 Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes at Kempton Park Racecourse on March 18. The winner of the 1 1/8-mile clockwise race over Polytrack will earn a guaranteed spot in the starting gate for Kentucky Derby 135 and a $100,000 bonus should the winner start in the May 2 race. Later, this summer, Johnson is also scheduled to call the Cheltenham Festival.

Johnson, who described the racing action at Kempton on Wednesday evening and was scheduled for duty at Lingfield on Friday afternoon, is scheduled to arrive in Louisville for his 2009 Spring Meet duties on April 16, which is 10 days in advance of the start of the 2009 Spring Meet.

Later this month, he will wed his longtime girlfriend Katherine Heptonstall on a beach in Turks and Caicos on Jan. 28.

"It makes for quite a month, doesn't it?" Johnson quipped. "I told Katherine the other night that I will have to put this down as the month of my life at the moment!"

The Mark Johnson File

Born: Feb. 7, 1966 (42 years old)

Parents: Derek and Joy Johnson (only child)

Birthplace/Hometown: Skegness, Lincolnshire, England

Current Residence: East Twickenham, London, England

Relationship: Engaged to marry longtime girlfriend Katherine Heptonstall on Jan. 28, 2009, on a beach in Turks and Caicos

College Degree: BA Hons in Television, Film & Theatre Studies, King Alfred's College in Winchester, Hants, England

Post Graduate Diploma: Radio Journalism, London College of Printing in Elephant & Castle, London, England

Career Milestones
First live race commentary: March 15, 1986 at Tweseldown, England
First "Classic" commentary: 1995 St. Leger Stakes
First Epsom Derby: 1998 (1998-2002)
First Cheltenham Festival: 1996 (most years to present day)
First Grand National: 2004 (2004-05)
First live race call in America: Oct. 11, 2001 at Calder Race Course
All-Star Announcer Appearances: 2005 (Belmont) and '07 (Monmouth)
First full card announcing in America: Aug. 3, 2007 at Calder Race Course
First graded stakes race call in America: Nov. 27, 2008 at Churchill Downs

Favorite Announcers: Peter O'Sullivan, Raleigh Gilbert, Tom Durkin and Dave Johnson

Favorite Horses: Red Rum, High Chaparral, Sindar, Pleasantly Perfect and Corinthian

Favorite Kentucky Derby: "Smarty Jones in 2004."

Favorite Movies: "I'm a massive film fan, particularly old westerns and swashbucklers. Errol Flynn is a particular favorite actor."

Favorite Musical Acts: "The Police and Sting."

Favorite Books: "The Gun and The Sharpe novels based on the Napoleonic Wars."

Favorite Meal: "I have very cosmopolitan tastes for food, but a good meal has to be accompanied by a great red wine!"

Hobbies/Interests: "Golf and travel."

Hooked on Horse Racing: "I got hooked on horse racing when going jump racing with my mother and father as a very young child and watching racing on Saturday afternoons on TV, especially the Grand National. Grand National Day for me as a youngster was like Christmas Day, my birthday and any other special day rolled into one."

Interesting Fact: "I was an assistant trainer when briefly based in Newmarket. I also sword fenced to high standard and I am a qualified fencing coach."

Churchill Downs, the world's most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America's greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009. The track's 2009 Spring Meet will take place from April 25 through July 5. Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders' Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on November 5 and 6, 2010. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

MISS ISELLA COULD START BIG WEEKEND FOR WILKES BARN - Miss Isella was bright and alert in Stall 1 of the Ian Wilkes barn Friday morning, a day after scoring her first stakes victory in the Falls City Handicap (Grade II).[asset|height=12|width=100]

Owned by Domino Stud of Lexington, Inc., Miss Isella is a petite daughter of 1997 Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm.

"It's what's inside that counts," Wilkes said of Miss Isella, who came through on the rail under Calvin Borel to score by a length over Skylighter. "It was a test for her, but I knew she was getting better and better. She has really stepped up."

The stakes win was the second for Wilkes at Churchill Downs, but celebration was held to a minimum.

"It was just a quiet night at home with (wife) Tracey and our children Shelby and Brodie," Wilkes said. "Saturday night, however, may be a different story."

On Saturday afternoon, Wilkes will saddle Capt. Candyman Can in the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes for owners Joseph Rauch and David Zell. Capt. Candyman Can gave Wilkes his initial Churchill Downs stakes win with a victory in the Grade III Iroquois on Nov. 1.

"I am very pleased with how he is doing," said Wilkes, who was not yet ready to look too far down the road to a Triple Crown campaign with the son of Candy Ride. "I just want to get through Saturday first. He will get some time off after this race and we will see how he comes out of it and then decide how best to approach next year."

ROMANS SEEKING SWEEP OF CLOSING DAY STAKES - Trainer Dale Romans had a couple of options with debut winner Jazzandthemagician, entering the Zayat Stables colt in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (GII) and the Grade II Remsen at Aqueduct.

            "He's running here," Romans said Friday morning. "I only entered him up there in case the Remsen came up light."

            A son of 2004 Belmont Stakes (GI) winner Birdstone, Jazzandthemagician debuted with a stylish, 3 ¼-length victory on Nov. 1 and the performance was not a shock to Romans.

            "I expected he would run like that, but tomorrow, he is taking a big jump going from maiden to stakes," Romans said.

            Romans' other stakes entrant Saturday already has made that jump. Eldon Farm Equine's Sara Louise went from her maiden win straight into the Grade III Pocahontas that she won by 3 ¾ lengths on Nov. 1.

            "She's a nice filly and she has been training well since the Pocahontas," Romans said. Robby Albarado, who was aboard in the Pocahontas, has the call Saturday.

            The most recent trainer to sweep the Golden Rod and Kentucky Jockey Club in the same year is Bob Baffert, who took the races with Silverbulletday and Exploit in 1998.

GIANT OAK GETTING STEADY DIRT DIET AT CHURCHULL DOWNS - Drew Coontz has been on kind of an extended vacation the past two months in Kentucky with the Virginia H. Tarra Trust's Giant Oak for trainer Chris Block.

            "Chris said he wanted to stay here and see how Giant Oak handled the dirt," said Koontz of Block, who usually ships horses to Kentucky from his Chicago base and then immediately returns to Illinois. "He has had four works here and the exercise rider has said he is handling the track well."

            Giant Oak, a homebred son of Giant's Causeway out of the Crafty Prospector mare Crafty Oak, won his first two starts at Arlington Park, scoring at a mile on the turf and at 1 1/16 miles on the Polytrack in a race that was rained off the turf.

            Block shipped Giant Oak to Keeneland for the Grade III Bourbon on the turf on Oct. 5.

            "He just had a horrible trip that day," Coontz said of the eighth-place finish. "He was stuck down on the inside and blocked the whole way around." 

            Instead of going back to Chicago after the Bourbon, Giant Oak remained at Keeneland where he had two works on Polytrack before coming to Churchill Downs and a scheduled start in Saturday's Kentucky Jockey Club.

            "Every work has gotten better and better here and two of the works have been in the slop and mud," Coontz said. "He's a nice colt to be around and he is handling everything well."

GUEST ANNOUNCER SURVEY LAUNCHED - Churchill Downs officials are seeking input and looking for feedback from customers as they continue their search to replace the late Luke Kruytbosch as the next "Voice of the Kentucky Derby".

There has been a different track announcer each week during the five-week Fall Meet: Calder's Bobby Neuman (Oct. 26-Nov. 2); Louisiana Downs' Travis Stone (Nov. 5-9); Golden Gate's Michael Wrona (Nov. 11-16); Gulfstream Park and Monmouth Park's Larry Collmus (Nov. 19-23); and England's Mark Johnson (Nov. 26-29).

Churchill Downs has launched a Guest Announcer Survey on churchilldowns.com and there are audio samples from all five announcers. To participate, click the icon located on the home page just below the "Carryovers" section.

Also, fans may comment further by sending an email to announcer@kyderby.com.

Churchill Downs officials expect to make a final decision by the end of the year.

DERBY TICKET DRAWINGS CONTINUE - Over the final two days of the 2008 Fall Meet, Churchill Downs will continue its public daily drawings for guests to purchase two seats to the 135^th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 2. One hundred more names will be drawn Friday and Saturday. Guests age 18 and up may enter each drawing by filling out an entry form at Guest Services stations located inside Gate 17 or outside of Gate 10 in the clubhouse before 1:35 p.m. ET. A new drawing will be held each day. Winners need not be present to win and payment for invoiced tickets will be due Jan. 30. The drawings began last Saturday and, all told, 500 pairs of tickets, or 1,000 in total, will be made available. The seats available include a variety of clubhouse and grandstand seats, ranging from grandstand bleacher seats to clubhouse boxes. The ticket prices per seat range from $88 to $207 ($176 to $414 per pair).

HORSE OF THE YEAR CURLIN TO BE PARADED ON CLOSING DAY - Curlin, North America's reigning Horse of the Year and the continent's richest racehorse of all time with earnings of $10,501,800, will be paraded one final time at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The brilliant winner of seven Grade I events including Churchill Downs' $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap in June, is scheduled to be paraded on the main track between the fifth and sixth races. A special salute in the paddock and/or winner's circle will follow. The fifth race is scheduled for 1:28 p.m. (all times Eastern), and the first of 12 races will be at 11:30 a.m.

BARN TALK - Secret Gypsy ran the fastest seven furlongs of the meet with a 1:22.03 clocking in her 8 ½-length romp in Wednesday's ninth race. Trained by Ronny Werner for owners Richland Hills and John Kuehl, Secret Gypsy won for the third time in seven career starts. Julien Leparoux and Robby Albarado have dominated the jockey standings this meet with 54 and 39 victories, respectively. Leparoux officially can clinch the riding title Friday when he is named on 11 mounts and Albarado 10. Although Albarado does not figure to win the overall riding title, he does own a huge edge in 2-year-old winners (17-12) over Leparoux. Two races for juveniles are slated Friday with the entire 12-race card Saturday devoted to 2-year-olds. With three stakes remaining over the final two days, Leparoux owns a 3-2 edge in stakes wins on Albarado, and in turf races, with five grass events to be run over the final two days, Leparoux holds a 14-10 lead on Albarado in turf winners. ... Saturday's "Stars of Tomorrow II" card will settle the battle for top juvenile trainer between Ken McPeek and Dale Romans. McPeek holds a 9-8 edge in juvenile winners entering Friday's card in which they have one runner each entered in the first race. On Saturday, McPeek has 14 juveniles entered which include three on also-eligible lists; Romans has nine entered, including one also-eligible. 

WORK TAB - Robert DeWitt's Taletobetold, winner of the 2007 Open Mind Stakes at Churchill Downs, worked a half-mile in :49.20 over a fast track for trainer Eddie Kenneally. The move was the third fastest of 16 at the distance. Also working for Kenneally was Brian Rose and Ron McCauley's graded stakes-placed Ballymore Lady, who breezed five furlongs in 1:01.60, third best of 10 at the distance.

- END -

The talents of a select group of five guest announcers will be showcased at Churchill Downs during the Louisville, Ky. racetrack's Fall Meet, which begins its 26-day run on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Larry Collmus (Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, Suffolk Downs and The Meadowlands), Mark Johnson (England), Bobby Neuman (Calder Race Course), Travis Stone (Harrah's Louisiana Downs) and Michael Wrona (Golden Gate Fields) will each spend one week behind the microphone during Churchill Downs' five-week stand as track officials continue their process to replace the late Luke Kruytbosch.

Kruytbosch, the voice of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby since 1999, unexpectedly passed away on July 14 at age 47 from an apparent heart attack.

"Our worldwide search for a successor to the late Luke Kruytbosch as only the sixth voice in the history of Churchill Downs has been diligent and far-reaching," said Jim Gates, general manager of Churchill Downs. "Each of these five individuals is greatly respected and they are considered to be some of the top announcers anywhere in the world. They've generously agreed to assist us through this difficult situation, and we truly appreciate their cooperation and the support of their respective employers, including Magna Entertainment Corp. and Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

 "Our track announcer selection committee has conducted a thorough review and critique of material submitted by nearly two dozen applicants, and this select group is an exemplary sample of the many talented candidates - an international blend of veterans and rising stars."

 Neuman will call the opening week action at Churchill Downs (Oct. 26-Nov. 2) and will be followed by Stone (Nov. 5-9), Wrona (Nov. 12-16), Collmus (Nov. 19-23) and Johnson (Nov. 26-29).

 "This showcase of talent is a unique and mutually beneficial way for us to introduce some of the outstanding worldwide candidates to Churchill Downs, our horse racing fans and the city of Louisville," Gates said. "Our committee will reconvene at season's end and, based on positive reviews, I think there's a good chance that our next announcer will come from this group. I would expect a final decision before year's end."

 Only five individuals have held the coveted position as track announcer for Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. Gene Schmidt was the first as he called races under the Twin Spires from 1940-60, and was succeeded by legendary announcer Chic Anderson through 1977. Mike Battaglia was the next to look down on Churchill Downs' one-mile oval from the announcer's booth as he called the Kentucky Derby and all of the track's races from 1978-96. Kurt Becker then handled the announcing duties for two years, and his departure opened the door for Kruytbosch's arrival in 1999.

Larry Collmus

Born Oct. 13, 1966 in Baltimore, Md., Collmus currently is the track announcer for Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, Suffolk Downs and The Meadowlands. The 41-year-old has also called races at Pimlico Race Course, Laurel Park, Bowie, Timonium, Birmingham Turf Club, Golden Gate Fields, Bay Meadows, Vallejo, Santa Rosa and Aqueduct. Career highlights behind the microphone include calling several Grade I races including the last 15 runnings of the Haskell Invitational and two editions of the Florida Derby, as well as two of Cigar's 16-straight victories. "Luke [Kruytbosch] was a great friend to me and every announcer I know," Collmus said. "We shared many laughs together. It will be a bit strange at first to call a race in the booth at Churchill Downs, but I'm excited about the opportunity and look forward to my week in Louisville." Collmus will describe Churchill Downs' racing action from Nov. 19-23.

Mark Johnson

Born Feb. 7, 1966 in Skegness, Lincolnshire, England, Johnson currently resides in East Twickenham, London, England. The 42-year-old is one of Britain's senior racecourse commentators and regularly describes the action at Sandown, Kempton Park, Cheltenham, Goodwood and Stratford. He called 11 straight renewals of the Group 1 St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster - the final leg of the British Triple Crown - and five consecutive Epsom Derbys. Career highlights also include calling the Grand National and one of Best Mate's triumphs in the Gold Cup during the Cheltenham Festival. "It is a huge honor to be calling at Churchill Downs and will be without doubt one of the highlights of my career," Johnson said. "The gap left by Luke [Kruytbosch] will be very difficult to fill. He was a great caller and not only had tremendous respect in America but was also a commentator greatly admired in Britain." Johnson will describe Churchill Downs' racing action from Nov. 26-29.

Bobby Neuman

Born March 1, 1969 in Los Angeles, Calif., Neuman currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. with his wife Rebecca and daughter Julie. The 39-year-old is the current track announcer at Churchill Downs sister racetrack Calder Race Course, and previously called races at Thistledown, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Sandy Downs and the Arizona fair circuit. Career highlights include calling Lost in the Fog's triumph in the 2005 Carry Back Stakes and jockey Eddie Castro's record-breaking nine-win performance at Calder in 2005. "Luke [Kruytbosch] was a good friend, and I followed Luke's lead for many years," Neuman said. "I attended the University of Arizona, got my racecalling career started on the Arizona fairs, then eventually onto Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It was actually Luke who called me one day while I was in New Mexico to let me know about a job opening at Thistledown, so I applied and got it, which eventually helped me to get hired at Calder where I've enjoyed the past 10 years. I guess you could say Luke basically steered my career, and I owe a lot to him. Not too many people get to call races at the world's most historic racetrack, so I'm going to have the time of my life!" Neuman will describe Churchill Downs' racing action from Oct. 26-Nov. 2.

Travis Stone

Born Jan. 23, 1984 in Glenn Falls, N.Y., Stone has been the track announcer for Harrah's Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La. since 2006 - his first job behind the microphone at a racetrack. The 24-year-old, who greatly admired the work of legends Tom Durkin and Dave Johnson, also has made guest appearances at Suffolk Downs, Monmouth Park and even Churchill Downs when he was a participant in the 2006 All-Star Announcer's Day on the day prior to the 2006 Breeders' Cup World Championships. "Announcing for Churchill Downs and being a part of the fabric of horse racing in Kentucky realizes a dream I have had since I was 12 years old," Stone said. "Luke Kruytbosch has a legacy which will forever be unmatched and having the opportunity to potentially follow his tenure is a tremendous honor." Stone will describe Churchill Downs' racing action from Nov. 5-9.

Michael Wrona

Born Feb. 3, 1966 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Wrona has been a track announcer in the United States since 1990 and is currently the track commentator for Golden Gate Fields. The 42-year-old - now a United States citizen - has also described the action at Hollywood Park, Bay Meadows, Players Bluegrass Downs, Retama Park, Arlington Park, Turf Paradise, Lone Star Park, Fair Grounds, SunRay Park and Fresno. Career highlights behind the microphone include Cigar's 16th consecutive victory when he equaled Citation's record in 1996 at Arlington Park; Laffit Pincay's breaking Bill Shoemaker's record for career wins in 1999 at Hollywood Park; and Russell Baze topping Pincay's record at Bay Meadows in 2006. "The thing I admired most about Luke [Kruytbosch] was how he worked his way up through the ranks of small tracks, and never forgot his humble beginnings." Wrona said. "Indeed, he remained a big supporter of small-time racing, and a friend to people at all levels of the industry." Wrona will describe Churchill Downs' racing action from Nov. 12-16.

Churchill Downs, the world's most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America's greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN) also operates Trackside at Churchill Downs, which offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2009. The track's 2008 Fall Meet runs from October 26 through November 29. Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders' Cup World Championships a record six times. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.