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Hunter Rankin Named CDI Senior Director of Racing

Hunter Rankin has been hired as Senior Director of Racing for Churchill Downs Incorporated, CDI announced Tuesday. The role was recently vacated following Mike Ziegler's promotion to General Manager of Churchill Downs Racetrack in December 2020.

As CDI's Senior Director of Racing, Rankin will act as a representative and liaison to the U.S. Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry and focus on the implementation of standards and processes outlined in the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (“HISA”) across all of CDI's racing properties.

“Hunter brings to this role a breadth of relationships he has developed with key stakeholder groups within the racing and breeding industries,” said Bill Mudd, President and Chief Operating Officer of CDI. “His keen familiarity with HISA will help lead the Company and its racing assets into a successful future within a continuously-changing and evolving industry.”

Prior to this role, Rankin was the President of Sagamore Farm, where he oversaw all farm and Sagamore Racing operations while also building Sagamore Farm as a hospitality asset. He previously served as Executive Vice President of Sagamore Development (now known as Weller Development) and as a Partner at Sterling Thompson Company, where he managed commercial insurance profiles for large real estate, construction and equine businesses.

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Churchill Downs To Sell Arlington Park, Pursue Relocation Of Racing License

Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Tuesday that it has launched a process to sell the 326 acres in Arlington Heights, Ill. that are currently the home of Arlington International Racecourse. CBRE will bring the redevelopment opportunity to market on behalf of CDI.

CDI is committed to running Arlington's 2021 race dates from April 30 – Sept. 25, and does not expect any sale of the Arlington site to close prior to the conclusion of Arlington's 2021 race meet or that the conduct of the sale process will impact Arlington's racing operations this year.

“Arlington's ideal location in Chicago's northwest suburbs, together with direct access to downtown Chicago via an on-site Metra rail station, presents a unique redevelopment opportunity. We expect to see robust interest in the site and look forward to working with potential buyers, in collaboration with the Village of Arlington Heights, to transition this storied location to its next phase,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI.

“In the meantime, we are very committed to pursuing the relocation of Arlington's racing license to another community in the Chicagoland area or elsewhere in the state. We are exploring potential options with the State and other constituents and remain optimistic that we can find solutions that work for the State, local communities and the thousands of Illinoisans who make their living directly or indirectly from thoroughbred horse racing. We are committed to the Illinois thoroughbred racing industry and will consider all options in working toward opportunities for it to continue into the future.”

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Churchill Rebranding BetAmerica Sportsbook And iGaming Under TwinSpires

Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI” or “Company”) (Nasdaq: CHDN) announced today it will move to a single brand strategy for its online wagering segment by rebranding the Company's sportsbook and iGaming platform as TwinSpires.

The brand transition from BetAmerica to TwinSpires will begin with CDI's online sportsbook and iGaming launch in Michigan later this month, pending final regulatory approval. BetAmerica retail and online sportsbooks operating in Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania will also transition to the TwinSpires brand during the first half of this year.

The TwinSpires brand has been utilized by CDI's online pari-mutuel wagering business since 2007. TwinSpires is widely recognized within the online betting world for its access to premier world-wide horse racing content, nearly 150 years of wagering history for handicapping races and unique customer experiences at the Kentucky Derby. TwinSpires players will continue to enjoy the same internally-developed, industry-leading technology platform for horse racing wagering and exceptional customer service to which they've become accustomed. For online sports betting and iGaming, customers will experience a new technology platform powered by GAN Limited and Kambi Group PLC.

“Our TwinSpires brand has consistently delivered over 13 years and is associated with more than a century of wagering experience. That history and heritage offers a unique point of difference in a competitive space,” said Bill Mudd, President and Chief Operating Officer of CDI. “We remain focused on building a profitable sports betting and iGaming business that provides our customers with an integrated experience alongside our horse racing wagering platform. The transition to TwinSpires not only generates marketing efficiencies, but also allows us to deliver a more complete overall experience to our growing online wagering customer base.”

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Churchill President Kevin Flanery To Retire At Year’s End

Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: CHDN) announced WednesdayKe that after 11 years at the helm of the world's most legendary racetrack, T. Kevin Flanery has decided to retire as President of Churchill Downs Racetrack at the end of 2020.

Flanery's 15-year tenure at CDI began in December 2005 as vice president of national public affairs. He was named senior vice president of national public affairs and communications in March 2008 before being named the 13th President of Churchill Downs Racetrack and a Senior Vice President of CDI in July 2009.

As President of Churchill Downs Racetrack, Flanery led a number of significant capital investments that greatly improved the live racing experience including permanent track lighting and the Big Board. He also spearheaded major expansion projects including the Paddock Plaza, The Mansion, the Starting Gate Suites and Rooftop Lounge, the Colonnade, the new Infield Gate and, most recently in 2020, the completion of the equine medical center and Matt Winn's Steakhouse.

“Kevin has been a pivotal leader in the growth and evolution of Churchill Downs,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI, “not only at the racetrack, but across the Company. His focus on bold capital investments and unmatched fan experiences has had a direct and enduring impact on the success of the Kentucky Derby and his leadership has navigated Churchill Downs Racetrack through many unexpected challenges, not the least of which has been the unforeseen circumstances of 2020. Having worked side by side with Kevin over the last 15 years, I offer sincere gratitude for his friendship and his leadership and we wish him all the best in his retirement. His has been an important and impactful chapter in the history of Churchill Downs Racetrack.”

“It has been an honor to work with a team that constantly strives to protect the legacy of the Kentucky Derby while creating experiences that resonate in our modern world. The ability of my Churchill Downs team to listen to our fans and our horsemen has informed every move we have made to enrich the Kentucky Derby for future generations,” said Flanery. “Having grown up in the area surrounding Churchill Downs Racetrack, I have a deep appreciation for what this place means to so many in our industry and our community. I will forever be grateful to the horsemen, the community and our guests who allowed me the opportunity to impact the rich and vibrant history of Churchill Downs and the unique culture of the neighborhood. I look forward to spending more time with my family and grandchildren and visiting colleagues and friends at Churchill Downs as a fan.”

Flanery came to Churchill Downs following a number of key positions in government and private business, including secretary of the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, deputy secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and president of Hagan Properties.

CDI will immediately begin the search to fill the role of President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. Bill Mudd, President and Chief Operating Officer of CDI, will act as interim President of Churchill Downs Racetrack until a successor is named.

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