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HISA Names Anjali Salooja As New Director Of Operations And Compliance

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has named Anjali Salooja Director of Operations and Compliance, the organization said in a release Thursday.

Salooja will oversee all compliance systems and procedures for the organization, ensuring HISA remains compliant with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act at all times. She will also provide daily operational and long-term planning support for new initiatives designed to promote equine and jockey health and safety.

“We couldn't be more pleased to welcome someone of Anjali's talent and experience to HISA,” said CEO Lisa Lazarus. “Her expertise in leading organizational operations and implementing national safety protocols make her an excellent fit to help us further HISA's goals.”

In her most recent role, Salooja served as the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Vice President and Assistant General Counsel. She oversaw the NBA's Anti-Drug Program and player health and safety efforts for its affiliate leagues, leading coordination with players, medical advisors, coaches, trainers and league staff. Prior to that, Salooja practiced law at Debevoise & Plimpton and worked as an analyst at Goldman Sachs.

“I look forward to helping further HISA's mission by ensuring operational excellence across the growing organization,” said Salooja. “With continued coordination and partnership between the HISA team and racing participants, we can make integrity and safety the top priority in Thoroughbred racing across the country.”

Salooja is an admitted attorney to the New York State Bar Association and a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.

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Churchill Downs Releases Official Art Of The 150th Derby

Churchill Downs released the 2024 “Official Art of the Kentucky Derby” by artist Wylie Caudill, the track said in a release Thursday.

Originally from Cynthiana, Kentucky, Caudill gravitated to public art and expanded his street art to murals which can be seen across the state, many of which include his signature roses. His artwork for the Derby features 150 red roses representing the Winner's Circle surrounded by white, gold and cerulean roses to symbolize the colorful fans from around the world.

“As a Kentucky Native, it is an immense honor to be part of such a milestone year for the Commonwealth's most notable event,” Caudill said. “It's difficult for me to fathom the scale of this opportunity and moment in history, but I am thrilled I was chosen to be the official artist for the 150th Kentucky Derby.”

Caudill will also be the official artist for the Woodford Reserve Commemorative Derby Bottle. As the official artist for both programs, he will also create original murals around Churchill Downs and surprise locations leading up to early May.

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Gaffalione, Walsh And Ramsey Take Home Kentucky Downs Titles As Meet Closes

Edited Press Release

Tyler Gaffalione capped off his third Kentucky Downs riding title in style, winning three races on Wednesday's closing-day card to finish with 12 victories for the FanDuel Meet, five more than 2021 riding champion and second-finisher Joel Rosario.

Brendan Walsh earned his second training title, and first outright, at the track with eight wins, three more than Kentucky Downs' all-time win leader Mike Maker, who had a meet-high 10 seconds and nine thirds.

Ken Ramsey, the winningest owner in Kentucky Downs history as well as Kentucky, won his ninth title at the track and his first since 2018 with three wins victories to edge the two wins of Three Diamonds Farm and Augustin Stables.

Gaffalione got off to a fast start, winning the meet's very first race and then taking the last of 76 races. He also won last year's riding title with nine wins and in 2020 with 11. Gaffalione started the day ahead 9-7 over Rosario, but had clinched the crown by mid-card.

Florent Geroux finished third with six wins but won the money title, $2,800,016 to $2,706,419 for Gaffalione. Both riders rode all seven days of the meet, while Rosario missed one day to ride at Saratoga.

Gaffalione was a workhorse, riding 71 of the meet's 76 races, compared with 51 for Rosario and 48 for Geroux.

“It's amazing,” Gaffalione said. “It was very competitive this year. It's world-class racing, and we enjoy being out there. We were very fortunate. We got a little bit of revenge this year (in stakes). Brendan Walsh and his team did a great job. I think we won five or six races for him. He sent his horses over ready to run this meet, and they fired big for us.”

Walsh tied for the 2021 title with Maker and Steve Asmussen with four wins apiece. He won with eight of 28 starters this meet (29 percent) and also led in purse earnings at $1,701,584. Jonathan Thomas, whose four wins included a pair of $1 million stakes, finished second in earnings at $1,487,443.

“It was a great meet,” said assistant trainer Paul Madden, who was at Kentucky Downs while Walsh was working the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. “Kudos to all the team. It was all the team and the effort they put in. It was a big deal for him (Walsh) to win this. To win eight races this meet–the prize money being so big–it's just a great place to win. He definitely points toward this meet.”

It was Ramsey's first since his last of six straight titles in 2018. He also won in 2010 and 2009. Ramsey's other titles were in the name of Ken and Sarah Ramsey, who died last year.

“It's like eating Cracker Jack,” Ramsey said. “The more you eat, the more you want. The more you win, the more you want to win. I'm inspired by winning. It motivates me to keep buying good horses and claiming good horses. I've got to pad my statistics, got to raise the bar a little higher. I can't look over my shoulder or they'll be gaining on me.”

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Antonucci And Miranda Speak At Kentucky Horse Park Sept. 16

At 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, the Kentucky Horse Park's free September EquineEd lecture series welcomes Jena Antonucci and Katie Miranda, trainers and co-owners of horseOlogy, the organization said in a release early Thursday.

HorseOlogy is a full-cycle Thoroughbred training and ownership organization based in Ocala, Florida, that handles everything related to breeding, training, and racing.

The event will be held at the Hall of Champions barn and attendees can enter through the Visitor Center. The next speaker in the series is Erin O'Keefe of the Retired Racehorse Project Oct. 7. Click here for more information.

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