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Hermitage to Continue as Thoroughbred Farm

Louisville entrepreneurs and philanthropists Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson have announced that historic Hermitage Farm will remain a Thoroughbred operation, with plans to make the farm a tourist destination.

Diversification Drives CDI's Success

Though there is no end in sight for the continued declines in North American racing, the newly elected chairman of Churchill Downs Inc. painted a positive picture for the Kentucky-based racetrack and gaming operator.

Carstanjen Promoted to CDI President

Churchill Downs Incorporated announced March 21 that William C. Carstanjen, currently the company's chief operating officer, has been promoted to company president, effective immediately.

Informed Decision Heads Chicago Handicap

Informed Decision, last year's champion female sprinter, returns to Arlington Park to to defend her title in the $100,000 Chicago Handicap (gr. III).

Churchill Prospering from Diversification

The ability of Churchill Downs Inc. to expand into online wagering, casino-type gaming, and entertainment offerings at its four racetracks has enabled the company to continue to grow.

Packard Retires From CDI Board

Churchill Downs Inc. announced June 14 that Susan Packard has retired from its board of directors effective June 30. The CDI board has unanimously adopted a resolution to concurrently reduce the number of directors to 12.

Historic Hermitage Farm Sold

Louisville entrepreneurs and philanthropists Laura Lee Brown and Steve Wilson have purchased historic Hermitage Farm in Goshen, Ky., from Carl Pollard, who will continue his breeding operation on the property.

Evans Cites Benefits of Non-Racing Ventures

While Churchill Downs Incorporated will continue to focus on racing as its primary business, its ability to expand into more profitable ventures such as alternative gaming and concerts will be key to future growth.

Mani Bhavan Extends Storm Boot's Legacy

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

Newly minted graded stakes winner Mani Bhavan continues the legacy of her sire Storm Boot, the first son of Storm Cat to be represented by a stakes winner.

Trainer Vance Reaches 3,000 Win Plateau

Trainer David Vance earned career win 3,000 Aug. 2 when Westline won the first race at Presque Isle Downs.

Seth Hancock Resigns from CDI Board

Seth W. Hancock has resigned from the Churchill Downs Inc. board of directors, the company announced June 24.

Evans Ready to Move Churchill Downs Forward

One day after being named chief executive officer and president of Churchill Downs Inc., Robert Evans told a group of assembled media he is ready to lead the Louisville, Ky.-based racetrack company into the future.

Help Wanted: Churchill Begins Search for Meeker's Successor

Churchill Downs Inc. announced Thursday that the company had initiated a formal succession-planning process for the position of president and chief executive officer, which is currently held by Thomas H. Meeker. Meeker's current employment contract with CDI will expire in March 2007. Meeker plans to retire from the company and step down from its board of directors upon the expiration of his employment contract.

Services Set for Longtime Owner Bohanon

Funeral services are May 16 in Louisville for longtime Thoroughbred owner James Bohanon, who died on May 11 at University of Louisville Hospital.

'Cat' Closes to Win Honorable Miss

My Trusty Cat came with a late rush to nip Ebony Breeze in the tightest of photo finishes Friday afternoon in the Honorable Miss Handicap (gr. II) for older fillies and mares at Saratoga. Carl Pollard's 4-year-old filly covered the six furlongs in 1:10.37 under strong urging by jockey Pat Day.

In Rome Does What Winners Do in Bassinet

Trapped behind horses in the stretch, In Rome and jockey Jeff Johnson found room along the rail and edged on to win the $100,000 Pepsi Bassinet Stakes for 2-year-old filliess at River Downs Saturday.

Pollard Sells 180 Acres of Hermitage Farm

Hermitage Farm owner Carl Pollard announced Friday that he has sold the western-most 180 acres of the farm to Hermitage Properties LLC, a limited liability company headed by Ron Carmicle.

Kiss the Devil Downs Mint Julep Field

Carl F. Pollard's stubborn Kiss The Devil overtook Crystal Sea in the stretch and held off favored Quick Tip by a neck in Saturday's $168,300 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (gr. IIIT) for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs.

My Trusty Cat Can Get Back on Track in Dogwood

The spring has been far from a flawless season for Carl Pollard's My Trusty Cat, but trainer David Vance hopes to get the daughter of Tale of the Cat back on track in Saturday's $100,000-added Dogwood Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs.

Harriet Jones, Widow of Late Churchill Chairman Warner L. Jones Jr., Dead

Harriet Jones, whose late husband, Warner L. Jones Jr., served as chairman of Churchill Downs, died the morning of Jan. 8 at her Louisville home

Kentucky Breeders Get Sober Message on VLTs

Don't count on video poker was the sobering message Kentucky Senate President David Williams delivered Tuesday to an informal gathering of about 35 prominent Thoroughbred breeders and their representatives.

Mandy's Gold, Caressing Headline Chicago BC 'Cap

Steeplechase Farm's Mandy's Gold, highweighted at 116 pounds, and Carl Pollard's Caressing, champion 2-year-old filly of 2000, will be the likely favorites for the $150,000 Chicago Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. III), a seven-furlong race for fillies and mares, at Arlington Park on June 8.

Churchill Board Backs $127-Million Renovation Plan

The Churchill Downs Inc. board of directors on Thursday endorsed a comprehensive plan to rebuild and modernize the company's flagship racetrack in Louisville, Ky. The racetrack's $127-million, two-phase master plan outlines the most sweeping changes at the historic facility in more than a century.

Pollard Elected Churchill Downs Chairman; Company Reports Record Quarter

Carl Pollard, the owner of Hermitage Farm and Churchill Downs board member since 1985, will replace William S. Farish as chairman of the Louisville, Ky., racing conglomerate. Also on Tuesday, Churchill reported record second quarter results.

Caressing and Flute Meet in Delaware Oaks

Carl Pollard's Caressing, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies last year, and Juddmonte Farm's Flute, winner of the Kentucky Oaks this year, have been entered in Saturday's $250,000 Delaware Oaks along with 12 other 3-year-old fillies. The grade III race will be run at 1 1/16 miles.

Caressing, Golden Ballet Lead Ashland Stakes Nominations

Four of the five top juvenile fillies on the 2000 Experimental Free Handicap are among the 85 nominations for the grade I Ashland Stakes to be run at Keeneland Race Course on April 7th.

Trainer Vance Hits Jackpot with 47-1 Caressing

Who would have thought a claiming trainer who has won more than a thousand races, and lost many more than that, would be a perfect one-for-one in the Breeders' Cup? But it happened Nov. 4, appropriately at his home base, when Caressing, at 47-1 the longest shot on the board, won the $1,025,920 Juvenile Fillies (gr. I).