Yum! Brands

Chefs Anthony Lamas of Seviche and Aaron Stordeur of The Oakroom at the Seelbach Hilton Hotel have been chosen by a panel of judges to represent Churchill Downs and the city of Louisville at the inaugural Taste of Derby™ presented by Yum! Brands on Thursday, April 29.

    Churchill Downs’ inaugural Taste of Derby will kick-start Kentucky Derby weekend for local culinary enthusiasts and out-of-town visitors with an evening of entertainment and some of the finest cuisine prepared by nationally known chefs and restaurants from popular horse racing destinations around the country.

    The premier chefs, representing a major racetrack and its respective culinary region, include:

·    James Beard Award winner Michelle Bernstein of Miami’s modern bistro Michy’s (Calder Casino & Race Course);
·    Levy Restaurants’ executive chef Jo-Jo Doyle (Churchill Downs)
·    Stephen Lewandowski of Manhattan’s landmark restaurant Tribeca Grill (Belmont Park);
·    James Beard Award nominee Nancy Longo of Maryland’s Pierpoint Restaurant (Pimlico Race Course);
·    Tory McPhail of New Orleans’ famous Commander’s Palace (Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots);
·    James Beard Award “Best Chef” nominee Ouita Michel of Midway, Ky.’s historic Holly Hill Inn (Keeneland);
·    James Beard Award winner Carrie Nahabedian of Chicago’s Naha (Arlington Park);
·    James Beard Award nominee Kent Rathbun of Dallas’ Abacus (Lone Star Park);
·    James Beard Award winner Nancy Silverton of Los Angeles’ La Brea Bakery and Pizzeria Mozza (Santa Anita Park); and
·    Alumni from Bravo’s hit television program Top Chef.

    Area restaurants were invited to submit a dish they’d serve to best represent Louisville’s culinary flavors. Following a Feb. 23 tasting of the finalists’ menus with six industry expert judges, Seviche’s Lamas and The Oakroom’s Stordeur were chosen to represent the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, respectively.

    Lamas, a recent James Beard Award nominee, will be serving Adobo Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Kenny’s Gouda – a blend of country ham, Wiesenberger grit cake, chipotle orange Woodford Reserve glaze and local pea sprouts.

    “Not only am I proud to have a restaurant in Louisville, but now to be chosen to represent our region and ‘The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports’ is truly humbling,” Lamas said. “I look forward to cooking alongside some of the best chefs from across the country.”

    The winning dishes by Stordeur, The Oakroom’s executive pastry chef, are tasty desserts: Pecan Petit and Smoked Bourbon Balls. The Pecan Petit is a pecan and fuilletine crust with a rich layer of dark chocolate infused with golden caramel and a mirror glaze of grand cru dark chocolate. It’s accented with toasted meringue, molasses powder and a baked gaufrette. Meanwhile, the Smoked Bourbon Balls are a 74 percent dark chocolate tempered shell filled with a semi-liquid filling of premium bourbon, sealed and sprinkled lightly with authentic bourbon barrel smoked salt.

    “I am greatly honored to be chosen as a representative for Kentucky Oaks 136, and am very excited to work with a group of professionals who are so dedicated and accomplished in their crafts,” Stordeur said.

    Taste of Derby, also featuring live entertainment and a charitable live auction, will be held on the eve of the Kentucky Oaks from 8-11:30 p.m. (with a VIP reception from 7-8 p.m.) at the Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center. (Please note the event time change: 7 p.m. VIP arrivals and 8 p.m. general admission).
 
    Tickets are on sale at http://Tickets.ChurchillDowns.com. General admission is $250 (cocktail party attire) and will offer patrons tastings and wine pairings from each premier chef station as well as the opportunity to mix and mingle with famous horse racing personalities and celebrities. The VIP ticket package for $350 also includes admission to a special VIP reception at 7 p.m. and a commemorative gift bag. Additionally, a limited number of reserved tables of eight (8) will be sold for $4,000.

    A portion of proceeds raised will benefit the Dare to Care Food Bank and the United Nations World Food Program.

    For more information, please visit the event Web site at TasteOfDerby.com.

About Churchill Downs Incorporated
Churchill Downs Incorporated, (“CDI”), headquartered in Louisville, Ky., owns and operates four world renowned Thoroughbred racing facilities: Arlington Park in Illinois, Calder Casino & Race Course in Florida, Churchill Downs Race Track in Kentucky and Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in Louisiana.  CDI operates slot and gaming operations in Louisiana and Florida.  CDI tracks are host to North America’s most prestigious races, including the Arlington Million, the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, the Louisiana Derby and the Princess Rooney, along with hosting the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on Nov. 5-6, 2010.  CDI also owns off-track betting facilities, TwinSpires.com and other advance-deposit wagering channels, television production, telecommunications and racing service companies such as BRIS and a 50-percent interest in the national cable and satellite network, HorseRacing TV, which supports CDI’s network of simulcasting and racing operations.  CDI’s Entertainment Group produces the HullabaLOU Music Festival at Churchill Downs Racetrack which premieres on July 23-25, 2010.  CDI trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol CHDN and can be found at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.

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An evening of exquisite cuisine and entertainment has been added to the roster of Kentucky Derby Week festivities as Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) (NASDAQ: CHDN) today announced plans to host Taste of Derby™ presented by Yum! Brands, an event that will showcase nationally known chefs and restaurants from popular horse racing destinations around the country. A portion of proceeds raised through Taste of Derby will benefit the Dare to Care Food Bank and the United Nations World Food Programme in support of YUM’s ongoing partnership with these two hunger relief organizations.  

The inaugural Taste of Derby will be held Thursday, April 29 – two days before the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and on the eve of the Kentucky Oaks – beginning at 7 p.m. EDT at the Mellwood Arts & Entertainment Center, which is located near the heart of downtown Louisville.

The event will feature 10 premier chefs from around the country – each representing a major racetrack and its respective culinary region – serving their signature dishes. The event will also feature live entertainment and a live charitable auction. All proceeds from the auction will benefit Taste of Derby’s partner charities.

Already confirmed for Taste of Derby are James Beard Award-winner Michelle Bernstein of Miami’s modern bistro Michy’s (Calder Casino & Race Course); Stephen Lewandowski of Manhattan’s landmark restaurant Tribeca Grill (Belmont Park); Tory McPhail of New Orleans’ famous Commander’s Palace (Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots); Ouita Michel of Midway, Ky.’s historic Holly Hill Inn (Keeneland); Nancy Silverton of Los Angeles’ La Brea Bakery and Pizzeria Mozza; and alumni from Bravo’s hit television program Top Chef. More premier chefs will be announced at a later date.

    Additionally, Churchill Downs will select two Louisville chefs to represent its world-famous racetrack and the city of Louisville. Area chefs are invited to submit a menu that best represents the personality and flavors of Louisville and Kentucky. Entries should be sent to TasteofDerby@KyDerby.com no later than Friday, Feb. 12. The menus will be judged by a panel of local food critics and industry experts. Three finalists will be announced Feb. 16 with the winners crowned on March 1. The winners also will be featured in Taste of Derby promotional materials and their recipes will be published on the Derby party-planning website http://www.KentuckyDerbyParty.com.

    Tickets to Taste of Derby will go on sale on Churchill Downs’ new online box office http://Tickets.ChurchillDowns.com on Friday, Feb. 5. General admission is $250 (cocktail chic attire) and will offer patrons tastings and wine pairings from each premier chef station as well as the opportunity to dine alongside famous horse racing personalities and celebrities. The VIP ticket package for $350 also includes admission to a special VIP reception at 6 p.m. and a commemorative gift bag. Additionally, a limited number of reserved tables of eight (8) will be sold for $4,000.
 
 “We’re thrilled to introduce Taste of Derby, which we believe will be the perfect kickoff to Kentucky Derby weekend,” said Bob Evans, Churchill Downs Incorporated president and chief executive officer. “For more than a century, the Kentucky Derby has brought together great horses and great people from all over the country. Great food – a long-time staple of the Derby experience – brings people together, too, and some of the nation’s culinary capitals also happen to be racing cities with tracks that hold Derby prep races and Triple Crown events. It’s only fitting that Taste of Derby showcase the first-class cuisine that can be found in America’s top racing markets while positively impacting hunger relief efforts in the communities where those tracks are located.”

Louisville-based Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE:YUM), the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver’s and A&W Restaurants, has been the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby since 2006, and is also the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Taste of Derby.

“We are proud to partner with Churchill Downs on Taste of Derby to help raise awareness and funds for our two key partners, Dare to Care Food Bank and the United Nations World Food Programme,” said Jonathan Blum, senior vice president of Yum! Brands Inc. “As the world’s largest restaurant company, we believe it is our privilege and responsibility to help those less fortunate who don’t have enough to eat by moving them from hunger to hope.”

For more than 15 years, Yum! has donated nearly $50 million of prepared food annually to homeless shelters and soup kitchens in the U.S. Additionally, Yum! has been the primary sponsor of Dare to Care Food Bank for nine years, donating $9 million. In 2007, Yum! created World Hunger Relief, the world’s largest private-sector, hunger-relief effort that raises awareness, volunteerism and funds for the United Nations World Food Programme, raising nearly $60 million for WFP and other hunger relief organizations since the program’s inception. The efforts have provided approximately 250 million nutrition—fortified meals, mostly to women in children, in remote corners of the world. The Company’s 1.4 million employees, franchisees and their families have volunteered 15 million hours to aid hunger relief agencies around the globe. In late January at the World Economic Forum, YUM was recognized by the United Nations World Food Programme as its “Corporate Partner of the Year,” underscoring the impact the company is having on world hunger relief.

Other Taste of Derby corporate partners include Woodford Reserve (Silver Sponsor), Galt House Hotel & Suites, Gateway Press, Sullivan University and The Cubero Group.

Churchill Downs has also teamed with celebrated restaurateur Wayne Kostroski for the inaugural Taste of Derby. Kostroski, who will receive the James Beard Foundation’s 2010 Humanitarian of the Year award, founded Taste of the NFL, the popular fundraising benefit held annually on the eve of the Super Bowl. Taste of the NFL, which also raises funds to fight world hunger, was established in 1992.

“I have been fortunate enough to have worked in one of the most exciting and generous industries, the hospitality services industry,” Kostroski said. “Because of the long-time relationship working with some of the most talented chefs in America through Taste of the NFL, it is particularly special to have the opportunity to partner them with one of America’s most prestigious events, the Kentucky Derby, to fight hunger. We are all honored to be part of the launch of America’s next big event in the fight against hunger, Taste of Derby.”

    For additional information about Dare to Care Food Bank and World Food Programme, visit DareTo Care.org and WFP.org, respectively.

About Churchill Downs Incorporated
    Churchill Downs Incorporated, (“CDI”), headquartered in Louisville, Ky., owns and operates four world renowned Thoroughbred racing facilities: Arlington Park in Illinois, Calder Casino & Race Course in Florida, Churchill Downs Race Track in Kentucky and Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in Louisiana.  CDI operates slot and gaming operations in Louisiana and Florida.  CDI tracks are host to North America’s most prestigious races, including the Arlington Million, the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, the Louisiana Derby and the Princess Rooney, along with hosting the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record seventh time on Nov. 5-6, 2010.  CDI also owns off-track betting facilities, TwinSpires.com and other advance-deposit wagering channels, television production, telecommunications and racing service companies such as BRIS and a 50-percent interest in the national cable and satellite network, HorseRacing TV, which supports CDI’s network of simulcasting and racing operations.  CDI’s Entertainment Group produces the HullabaLOU Music Festival at Churchill Downs Racetrack which premieres on July 23-25, 2010.  CDI trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol CHDN and can be found at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.

About Yum! Brands, Inc.
Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE:YUM) based in Louisville, Kentucky, is the world’s largest restaurant company in terms of system restaurants, with more than 36,000 restaurants in over 110 countries and territories. The company is ranked #239 on the Fortune 500 List, with revenues in excess of $11 billion in 2008. Four of the Company’s restaurant brands – KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Long John Silver’s – are the global leaders of the chicken, pizza, Mexican–style food and quick–service seafood categories, respectively. Outside the United States, the Yum! Brands system opened more than four new restaurants each day of the year, making it a leader in international retail development. The company has consistently been recognized for its reward and recognition culture, diversity leadership, community giving, and consistent shareholder returns.  In 2007, the company launched World Hunger Relief, the world’s largest private sector hunger relief effort to raise awareness, volunteerism and funds to benefit the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and other hunger relief agencies. To date, this effort has raised nearly $60 million for the WFP and other hunger relief agencies and is helping to provide approximately 250 million meals and save the lives of millions of people in remote corners of the world.  

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For the first time in its storied history, Churchill Downs will give the general public an opportunity to purchase special two-day ticket packages to its world-famous Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks via the racetrack’s new online box office, http://tickets.churchilldowns.com.

A limited number of seats – 3,000 for Oaks Day on Friday, April 30 and 3,000 for Derby Day on Saturday, May 1 – have been allocated for this online exclusive and will go on sale Wednesday, Dec. 16 at noon EST.

Prices for the two-day bundled seat packages range from $172 for individual first floor grandstand bleacher seats on both days to $6,390 for a six-seat box in the third floor clubhouse with daily access to the exclusive Secretariat Lounge.

“The Kentucky Derby and its sister race, the Kentucky Oaks, are extraordinary spectacles that people all over the world hope to experience at least once in their lifetime,” said Kevin Flanery, Churchill Downs Racetrack president. “This holiday season, we’ve set aside approximately 6 percent of our inventory to make it easier for the Louisville community, sports fans and entertainment seekers to obtain these usually hard-to-get reserved seats through our new and convenient online box office.

“For the last few years, we’ve tried to make more tickets available to the general public through last minute ticket lotteries and select on-track promotions. People camped out overnight in the cold and waited in long lines just to have a chance to grab Derby tickets in our on-track lottery. They don’t have to do that now; the tickets are just a mouse-click away. This is a more convenient continuation of that effort, with modest and premium price points available in our supply.”

This online exclusive offer will include third-floor clubhouse box seats in sections 312-314 (50 boxes or 300 seats); first-floor clubhouse box seats in section 111 (166 boxes or 996 seats); second-floor grandstand bleacher seats in sections 222-225 (300 seats); and first-floor grandstand bleacher seats in sections 121-128 (1,404 seats). Those who want to purchase box seats must purchase the entire box, which includes seats for six.

The third-floor clubhouse box seat packages include admission to the luxurious Secretariat Lounge, an exclusive, upscale, indoor hospitality area that will feature premium gourmet food, an open bar, televisions, betting kiosks and live music between races.

Customers can also advance purchase general admission tickets to the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands for $40 and the Kentucky Oaks for $25.

Ticket prices vary based on location. There is a purchase limit of six seats or one box per order. Tickets must be purchased with a Visa credit or debit card. Minimal ticket processing charges will apply.

This offer is exclusive to http://tickets.churchilldowns.com; no sales will be made in person or by submitting letters, e-mail or telephone calls to Churchill Downs.

Two-Day Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks Reserved Seat Tickets (Limit 6 Per Person)

First-Floor Grandstand Bleacher Seats
(Sections 121-128; total of 1,404 seats)
§    Section 128 – $172 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
§    Section 127 – $183 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
§    Section 126 – $188 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
§    Section 125 – $195 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
§    Section 124 – $197 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
§    Section 123 – $200 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
§    Section 122 – $202 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
§    Section 121 – $207 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Second-Floor Grandstand Bleacher Seats
(Sections 222-225; total of 300 seats)
§    Section 225 – $214 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
§    Section 224 – $218 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
§    Section 223 – $222 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
§    Section 222 – $225 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

First-Floor Clubhouse Box Seats
(Section 111; total of 166 boxes or 996 seats)
§    Section 111 – $1,500 per six-seat box (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Third-Floor Clubhouse Box Seats with Access to Exclusive Secretariat Lounge
(Sections 312-314; total of 50 boxes or 300 seats)
§    Section 312 – $6,132 per six-seat box (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
§    Section 313 – $6,204 per six-seat box (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)
§    Section 314 – $6,390 per six-seat box (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

    It has never been easier to purchase tickets to Churchill Downs, thanks to the fresh technology at http://tickets.churchilldowns.com. The easy-to-navigate, one-stop shop Website designed by SeatAdvisor, Inc. allows patrons to seamlessly view, choose and purchase exact reserved seat locations throughout the vast facility.

    In addition to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, customers can purchase packages to other 2010 events at Churchill Downs, including six “Downs After Dark” nighttime racing events scheduled for June 11, June 18, June 25, July 2, Oct. 31 and Nov. 19.

    Customers are advised to visit http://tickets.churchilldowns.com frequently as inventory is continually added.

    Purchasers of tickets through this online offer will agree to not resell these tickets at a premium in excess of the amount shown on the ticket or to package these tickets for resale together with hospitality, travel or other services and to not purchase – either directly or indirectly – more than the “per person” ticket limit (six seats) established for this online offer. Churchill Downs reserves the right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to cancel ticket purchases, including without limitation, voiding online transactions and refunding amounts paid by persons violating these conditions of sale. See http://tickets.churchilldowns.com for the complete terms and conditions of this online offer.

    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 host the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 1 and the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, April 30. The track will conduct its 2010 Spring Meet from Saturday, April 24 through Sunday, July 5. 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.

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.