Bill Carstanjen | Horse Racing Free Tips

TRF’s Chestnut Hall Added To Horse Country Tours

The board of directors of Horse Country voted unanimously to add the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Chestnut Hall facility in Prospect, Ky. to its membership roster.

“Since our first tours in 2015, the members of our not-for-profit organization have opened their gates to more than 150,000 leisure travelers, fans, clubs and schools in service of our mission of fan development for racing and equine sport,” said Anne Sabatino Hardy, executive director of Horse Country. “Aftercare is a critical part of the story of racing and experiential storytelling is an effective and compelling way to share our love of the horse, land and people. While we've supported TRF in previous endeavors, we're happy this new program allows us to welcome them to membership.”

Chestnut Hall represents the realization of a dream of local businessman, Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Inc. to preserve the historic farmland. Carstanjen oversaw the restoration of the 25+ acre property to an active horse farm and sought out the TRF as his partner to provide a home for retired racehorses.

Among the small herd of retired Thoroughbreds who will welcome tour guests at Chestnut Hall is graded stakes winner Warrior's Club (Warrior's Reward). The 7-year-old, who won the 2018 G3 Commonwealth S. for the Churchill Downs Racing Club, will retire to the facility thanks to a grant from the club.

Chestnut Hall is the fourth TAA-accredited aftercare organization to join Horse Country. Tours are now offered at https://visithorsecountry.com/trf-chestnut-hall/ or https://www.trfinc.org/trf-sanctuary-farm-at-chestnut-hall/.

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Visit Horse Country Adds TRF Farm to its Membership

The board of directors of Horse Country voted unanimously to add the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Chestnut Hall facility in Prospect, Kentucky to its membership roster.

Among the small herd of retired Thoroughbreds who will welcome tour guests at Chestnut Hall is graded stakes winner Warrior's Club (Warrior's Reward). The 7-year-old, who won the 2018 GIII Commonwealth S. for the Churchill Downs Racing Club, will retire to the facility thanks to a grant from the club.

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Churchill Downs Inc. Names Katherine Armstrong VP Of Culture

Churchill Downs Incorporated announced on Thursday that Katherine Armstrong has been hired as the company's vice president of culture (diversity, equity and inclusion) . The new role will report directly to Bill Carstanjen, chief executive officer of CDI.

As the vice president of culture, Armstrong will be part of the senior leadership team of CDI and will lead the company's efforts to expand its strategic vision as part of the core mission and values to systemically advance a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Armstrong will develop and drive diversity initiatives and create opportunities to share best practices across the business segments.

“Katherine brings a deep understanding of advancing company culture and diversity, equity and inclusion to this role,” said Carstanjen. “She is an experienced, proactive and strategic advocate, partner and leader, who has developed constructive relationships and supported strong cultural initiatives in her previous roles.”

Prior to this role, Armstrong was the founder and president of Success Track LLC, a strategic advisory and training group with an emphasis on culture transformation, DE&I strategy, HR analytics and leadership coaching. She also served in several significant roles with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., Hyatt Hotels Corporation, PNC Financial and Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg, Miss.

“I am honored and excited to lead the advancement of the culture at CDI,” said Armstrong. “This is a pivotal time in the company's growth and I am humbled to be part of the senior leadership team that will work together to shape the diversity, equity and inclusion of this great organization in the future.”

Armstrong holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Jackson State University.

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$233 Million Wagered On Kentucky Derby Day; Second-Highest Ever

Churchill Downs Incorporated reported that 51,838 fans were on hand to witness Medina Spirit's victory in the 147th running of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Ky.

Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby Day program totaled $233.0 million, up 85% compared to the 2020 Kentucky Derby Day program held without spectators last Sept. 5. All-sources wagering on the Kentucky Derby race was $155.4 million, up 96% from last year's Derby race.

The Derby day wagering totals for the 14-race card were the second-highest ever, behind $250.9 million bet in 2019.

All-sources handle for Opening Night, Saturday, April 24, through Derby Day, Saturday, May 1, was recorded at $314.6 million.

TwinSpires, the official wagering partner of the Kentucky Derby, recorded preliminary record handle of $62.7 million on Churchill Downs races for the Kentucky Derby Day program, an increase of 66% over the prior year. TwinSpires recorded preliminary record handle on the Kentucky Derby race alone of $40.8 million, up 75% over 2020.

Medina Spirit, owned by Zedan Racing Stables, and bred in Florida by Gail Rice, led from the start, held off a spirited rally from Mandaloun and prevailed in a thrilling finish by a half length. Trainer Bob Baffert secured his seventh Kentucky Derby win eclipsing the record previously shared with Ben Jones. Jockey John Velazquez recorded his fourth Kentucky Derby victory and capped a successful weekend by winning both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.

“Today it was incredibly gratifying to welcome our fans back to Churchill Downs for the 147^th running of the Kentucky Derby,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI. “We will continue to invest in this iconic event as we create unique and once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the coming years for our guests.”

Churchill Downs introduced two new charity efforts this year. A naturalization ceremony was hosted in the Winner's Circle of Churchill Downs as U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky Benjamin Beaton administered the Oath of Allegiance to five new citizens representing five different countries on the day of America's Greatest Race. CDI hosted nearly 300 representatives from Kentucky's Foster Care sector as guests in the first-ever Kentucky Derby Foster Family Initiative partnership with Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale and in cooperation with Louisville nonprofits Maryhurst and Boys & Girls Haven.

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