Churchill Downs | Horse Racing Free Tips

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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Finite Headlines Saturday’s Chilukki Stakes At Churchill Downs

Winchell Thoroughbreds, Thomas Reiman, William Dickson and Deborah Easter's multiple graded stakes winning filly Finite tops Saturday's 35th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Chilukki Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Run at one mile, the Chilukki is carded as Race 9 with a post time of 5:06 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post for the 10-race program is 1 p.m.

Finite, a 3-year-old filly by Munnings, was the narrow runner-up finisher behind Venetian Harbor in last month's $200,000 Raven Run (G2) at Keeneland. Previously, the Steve Asmussen-trained Finite was on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) trail after victories in the $120,000 Rags to Riches, $300,000 Golden Rod (G2), $150,000 Silverbulletday and $300,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2). Following her fourth-place effort in the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), Finite underwent minor ankle surgery but returned to Asmussen's stable a few months later.

Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. has the call on Finite who will break from post position No. 2.

Among Finite's rivals entered in the Chilukki is Speedway Stable's Raven Run third-place finisher Grand Cru Classe. Trained by Bill Mott, Grand Cru Classe finished a half-length behind Finite in the seven-furlong Raven Run at odds of 20-1. The daughter of Bernardini has recorded three victories in just four starts including a narrow win in the $100,000 Weber City Miss Stakes at Laurel.

Tyler Gaffalione has the call on Grand Crue Classe and will break from post 3.

Also entered in the Chilukki is Fox Hill Farms' stakes winner Whoa Nellie. Trained by Larry Jones, Whoa Nellie is scheduled make her first start in more than nine months following a runner-up finish in the $200,000 Bayakoa (G3). The speedy daughter of Orb was in top form over the winter recording an impressive 2 ¾-length allowance score in December at Turfway and a dominating 4 ½-length victory in the $100,000 Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn in January.

Joe Rocco Jr. has the call on Whoa Nellie who drew post 4.

The other fillies and mares that entered the Chilukki are Scott Herbertson's 11-time winner Crazy Sexy Munny; Stonestreet Stables and LNJ Foxwoods' multiple graded stakes placed Gold Standard; Bluegrass Bred Racing and Breeding Farm's three-time winner New Roo; Ghost Hollow Farm's graded stakes placed Risky Mandate; and Matriarca's Chilean Grade I winner Sanenus; and Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable and Peter Deutsch's stakes winner Unique Factor.

The complete field for the Chilukki from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): New Roo (Brian Hernandez Jr., Tommy Drury); Finite (Santana, Asmussen); Grand Cru Classe (Gaffalione, Mott); Whoa Nellie (Rocco, Jones); Gold Standard (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Risky Mandate (Miguel Mena, Tom Amoss); Crazy Sexy Munny (Crystal Conning, Bill Morey); Unique Factor (Corey Lanerie, Peter Miller); and Sanenus (Rafael Bejarano, Michael McCarthy).

The Chilukki is named after the three-time Churchill Downs stakes-winning filly. Trained by Bob Baffert, Chilukki set two track records beneath the Twin Spires – her 1999 4 ¼ furlong debut performance in :51 and a scorching one-mile clocking in 1:33.57, breaking the 31-year track record in this event in 2000.

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Hard Spun Colt Runs Them Off Their Feet for ‘Rising Star’ Badge at Churchill

Caddo River (Hard Spun), a promising runner-up in a live-looking maiden race last out, went to the front and widened throughout for a dominant, ‘TDN Rising Star’-worthy graduation Sunday at Churchill.

Second on debut Sept. 5 at Saratoga, he filled the same slot after dueling on a scorching pace Oct. 11 at Belmont and was pounded down to 3-10 to break through stretching out to a mile here. Away in good order, the homebred made the lead on his own power and dictated terms through sharp splits of :22.38 and :44.59. Scooting further clear after straightening for home, he slammed the door by mid-stretch and coasted home 9 1/2 lengths to the good. Alejandro (Curlin) completed the exacta.

The victor, named for a river in Arkansas, has a yearling half-sister by Into Mischief and his thrice graded stakes-placed dam produced a Nyquist colt this term before being bred back to Hard Spun. Second dam It’s True Love was a SW as well.

8th-Churchill Downs, $83,789, Msw, 11-15, 2yo, 1m, 1:35.22, ft, 9 1/2 lengths.
CADDO RIVER c, 2, Hard Spun
1st Dam: Pangburn {SW & MGSP, $338,480}, by Congrats
2nd Dam: It’s True Love, by Yes It’s True
3rd Dam: Lovin Spoonful, by Dixieland Band
Lifetime Record: 3-1-2-0, $76,092. Click for the Equibase.com chart, VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O/B-Shortleaf Stable (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

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NYRA-Churchill Downs Cross Country Pick 5 Continues Throughout November

The popular Cross Country Pick 5 wager, hosted by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), continues throughout November when there is Thoroughbred racing from both Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y., and Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Every day will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool.

November will feature 12 Cross Country Pick 5 wagers from the fall meets at Aqueduct Racetrack and Churchill Downs though to Sunday, Nov. 29, which is closing day of Churchill's fall meet. In addition to today's card at the Big A, the wagers will take place on days when both tracks are racing.

Those Cross Country Pick 5 days will be:

– Thursday, Nov. 19 – Sunday, Nov. 22 (four days); and

– Friday, Nov. 27 – Sunday, Nov. 29 (three days)

Live coverage will be available with America's Day at the Races on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. Free Equibase past performances for all Cross Country Pick 5 sequences will be available for download at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/cross-country-wagers.

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