Woodford Reserve

Like nurturing a champion thoroughbred, the art of crafting fine bourbon whiskey takes time, patience and attention to detail. So it is with Woodford Reserve®, the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, which honors the country’s favorite horse race with a limited-edition Kentucky Derby commemorative bottle.  The 2010 bottle features the work of nationally-acclaimed, Louisville-based artist Jeaneen Barnhart.

“When creating this special painting, my intent was to reveal the energy and emulate the figures through loose interpretation of uninhibited line and depth,” said Barnhart. “It’s the heart, the bones, the muscle and the mind that open my eye to deeper expression.”  

Barnhart’s striking work depicts the vibrancy and intensity of Kentucky Derby racehorses as they charge toward the finish line. The artist’s signature adorns the neck of the bottle, and an attached neck tag bears information about the artist and product. The limited edition liter-size bottle will be available in early April in 42 US states at a suggested retail price of $42.99.
 
“As a proud supporter of horse racing, it is fitting that Woodford Reserve has been selected once again as the ‘Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby,’ America’s most prestigious horse race,” said Laura Petry, Woodford Reserve brand manager. “We are honored to partner with Jeaneen on this one-of-a-kind bottle that commemorates this historic partnership.”

In addition to purchasing a true collector’s item, consumers can enter into Woodford Reserve’s Kentucky Derby Sweepstakes with a chance to win a VIP trip to the 2011 Kentucky Derby. Consumers can enter by either registering their bottle’s unique number, printed on the neck label, or by entering any random five digit code at www.WellCraftedDerby.com. Consumers may also enter by mail.  Upon registering they will be given a randomly-generated post position, from 1-20, for the 2010 Kentucky Derby. If the horse that starts from their assigned post position wins, he/she will be entered in the grand prize trip drawing. Official Rules are available at www.WellCraftedDerby.com.*

* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY – a purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Must be 21 or older to participate. Limit 12 entries per person and email address. Void in CA, VA and where prohibited. Other restrictions may apply.  See Official Rules for details.

For the twelfth year in a row Woodford Reserve Bourbon has been selected the “Official Bourbon of Kentucky Derby.”  It also sponsors a Grade I race, the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, which is run on Derby Day, May 1, 2010, and has become one of thoroughbred racing’s premier turf events.
About Woodford Reserve®
Woodford Reserve, the “Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby”, is crafted at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky - the heart of thoroughbred country.
Woodford Reserve is one of the fine spirits produced and marketed by the Brown-Forman Corporation. For 140 years, Brown-Forman has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands.  The company’s brands are supported by nearly 4,000 employees and sold in approximately 135 countries worldwide.  For more information about the company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com, and for more information on Woodford Reserve visit www.WoodfordReserve.com.  Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly.

About Jeaneen Barnhart
Though her work extends through many subjects and artistic styles, acclaimed Kentucky artist Jeaneen Barnhart is best known for her equestrian drawings and paintings. In 1994 along with her twin, Doreen, the sisters worked side-by-side on their first Kentucky Derby Festival poster. This combination of Jeaneen’s art and Doreen’s design was the inspiration that led them to their own business and way of life, “Twinspired: Art + Design”.  While successfully pursuing separate careers, the twins collaborated on many projects, such as the 1996 PGA Golf Experience Poster, 1997 and 2009 Kentucky Derby Festival Poster and the 1999 St. James Court Art Show Poster. They also partnered on projects for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Ball and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure’s Pink Tie Ball.

After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the prestigious Alfred University, Barnhart earned national acclaim through private commissions as well as gallery exhibits in New York, California, Florida, and Kentucky, where her studio is now located. View more of Barnhart’s work at www.artsocool.com.

About Churchill Downs®:
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 and the Kentucky Oaks on April 30, 2010. The track will conduct its 2010 Spring Meet from Saturday, April 24, through Sunday, July 4.  Churchill Downs is scheduled to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on Nov. 5 and 6, 2010. Churchill Downs tickets are available at Tickets.ChurchillDowns.com or by calling (502) 636-4400. Additional information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.ChurchillDowns.com.

Churchill Downs®, Kentucky Derby® and the Twin Spires design are registered trademarks of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 45.2% Alc. by Vol., The Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY ©2010.

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Midnight Cry Stable’s Einstein (BRZ) will be hoping the third time’s the charm Saturday when he takes on seven rivals in the 22nd running of the $400,000-added Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI), one of five graded stakes preceding the 134th running of the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) at Churchill Downs.

In addition to the Woodford Reserve on the Derby Day card that has a first post time of 11 a.m. (EDT), the 22nd running of the Grade I Humana Distaff will feature the return to Churchill Downs of Rancho San Miguel, George Todaro and Jerry Hollendorfer’s Hystericalady, who won the 2007 renewal by four lengths.

Trained by Helen Pitts, Einstein ran fourth in the 2006 Woodford Reserve and seventh last year in the mile and one-eighth race. A six-year-old son of 1985 Kentucky Derby winner Spend a Buck, Einstein has won two of three grass starts in 2008, including the Gulfstream Park Turf (GI) in February.

Einstein, who will break from post position five under Robby Albarado, will not be the only Grade I winner in the field.

David Heerensperger’s Artiste Royale (IRE), took the Clement L. Hirsch last fall at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita for trainer Neil Drysdale. In his most recent start, Artiste Royale finished fourth in the one-mile Arcadia Handicap (GII) at Santa Anita.

Other graded stakes winners in the field include Stud TNT’s Out of Control (BRZ), Zayat Stables’ Thorn Song and Andrew Farm, Connie Scanlon and James Buckley’s Duveen.

Hystericalady’s Humana Distaff victory was one of three she registered in 2007, a year that concluded with a runner-up finish to champion Ginger Punch in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI). Trained by Hollendorfer, Hystericalady enters the Humana Distaff off a 3 ½-length victory in the March 9 Azeri (GIII) at Oaklawn Park.

Rafael Bejarano, who rode Hystericalady in last year’s Humana Distaff, has the call Saturday and will break from the rail in the field of nine.

Among her rivals are the 2-3-4 finishers from the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Monmouth Park in October: Puglisi Stables and Steve Klesaris’ Miraculous Miss, Roll Reroll Stables’ Miss Macy Sue and Zayat Stables’ Baroness Thatcher. Also in the field is Tom Grether Farms’ Intangaroo, winner of the Grade I Santa Monica Handicap at Santa Anita in February.

Other graded stakes on the Derby Day card are the 74th running of Grade II Churchill Downs, which drew a field of nine with Robert Yagos’ Spotsgone and George Bolton, Joan Corrigan and Antony Beck’s Noonmark share top weight of 120 pounds; the 53rd running of the Grade III La Troienne for three-year-old fillies going 7 ½ furlongs on the main track; and, the 19th running of the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile, a Grade III event featuring 2006 Eclipse Award winner Dreaming of Anna, who will be facing eight rivals, including Vinery Madison (GII) winner Ventura, owned by Juddmonte Farms.

Officials with Churchill Downs Racetrack announced today that TwinSpires.com, the official advanced-deposit wagering (“ADW”) site for Churchill Downs Incorporated (the “Company”), and Xpressbet.com would be accepting wagers on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, the Kentucky Oaks and The Woodford Reserve.  All Churchill Downs Racetrack races will continue to be available through other off-track betting and simulcast wagering facilities, except for the off-track betting (“OTB”) facilities located in Clarksville and Evansville, Ind., and Calder Race Course.  

Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (“KYHBPA”) and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (“KTA”) have blocked distribution of the remaining Churchill Downs signal to ADW providers, including TwinSpires.com and Xpressbet.com.  

“We are disappointed that the Kentucky horsemen have chosen to prevent horse racing fans from wagering on Churchill Downs Racetrack races during the most important weekend for the horse racing industry,” said Churchill Downs President Steve Sexton. “Wagering on the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby race day cards helps to supplement purses throughout the year at Churchill Downs Racetrack. The action of the horsemen’s representatives today will have a negative impact on purses for the entire year.”
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“We are perplexed that the horsemen would seek to penalize the ADW distribution channel.  Since the Company’s entry into the ADW business, we have successfully negotiated higher host fees paid by ADW businesses to our racetracks and horsemen partners.  Both groups have benefited,  ” said Sexton.  “Fortunately, wagering on the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Woodford Reserve will be allowed under prior agreements.”

KYHBPA representatives have rejected all offers from Churchill Downs  and  instructed  that any further discussions be conducted with the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group (“THG”), an alliance of horsemen’s groups from around the country. The THG is led by Bob Reeves who also serves on the board of the Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.  

“Kentucky takes great pride in billing itself as the horse capital of the world,” said Sexton.  “On Tuesday, we were encouraged by the discussions with KYHBPA representatives.  On Wednesday, our offer was rejected, but neither the KYHBPA nor the KTA could tell us what was needed to resolve this issue.  Today, the Kentucky horsemen have told us that if we want to send our ADW signal to the rest of the country, then we have to negotiate with and get  permission from horsemen representing them in Ohio.”

The 134th Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks anchor this weekend’s race card at Churchill Downs. Pre-race festivities, including a celebrity filled red carpet, will be aired nationally on NBC beginning at 4 p.m. on May 3, 2008, followed by an hour and a half of racing coverage beginning at 5 p.m.

“At a time when Churchill Downs is working diligently to bring new customers to the sport, the actions of the horsemen will serve to block these potential fans from participating and alienate loyal patrons who look forward to this weekend all year,” said Sexton.

    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 134th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2008. The track’s 2008 Spring Meet runs from April 26 through July 6. 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.

Information set forth in this news release contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) provides certain “safe harbor” provisions for forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements made in this news release are made pursuant to the Act.  The reader is cautioned that such forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time and/or management’s good faith belief with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information.  Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include: the effect of global economic conditions; the effect (including possible increases in the cost of doing business) resulting from future war and terrorist activities or political uncertainties; the economic environment; the impact of increasing insurance costs; the impact of interest rate fluctuations; the effect of any change in our accounting policies or practices; the financial performance of our racing operations; the impact of gaming competition (including lotteries and riverboat, cruise ship and land-based casinos) and other sports and entertainment options in those markets in which we operate; the impact of live racing day competition with other Florida and Louisiana racetracks within those respective markets; costs associated with our efforts in support of alternative gaming initiatives; costs associated with customer relationship management initiatives; a substantial change in law or regulations affecting pari-mutuel and gaming activities; a substantial change in allocation of live racing days; changes in Illinois law that impact revenues of racing operations in Illinois; the presence of wagering facilities of Indiana racetracks near our operations; our continued ability to effectively compete for the country’s top horses and trainers necessary to field high-quality horse racing; our continued ability to grow our share of the interstate simulcast market; our ability to execute our acquisition strategy and to complete or successfully operate planned expansion projects; our ability to successfully complete any divestiture transaction; our ability to execute on our temporary and permanent slot facilities in Louisiana; market reaction to our expansion projects; the loss of our totalisator companies or their inability to provide us assurance of the reliability of their internal control processes through Statement on Auditing Standards No. 70 audits or to keep their technology current; the need for various alternative gaming approvals in Louisiana; our accountability for environmental contamination; the loss of key personnel; the impact of natural disasters, including Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma on our operations and our ability to adjust the casualty losses through our property and business interruption insurance coverage; any business disruption associated with a natural disaster and/or its aftermath; our ability to integrate businesses we acquire, including our ability to maintain revenues at historic levels and achieve anticipated cost savings; the impact of wagering laws, including changes in laws or enforcement of those laws by regulatory agencies; the effect of claims of third parties to intellectual property rights; and the volatility of our stock price.