Sexton to Churchill Downs, Goodrich to Arlington Park

from Churchill Downs Inc.
Cliff Goodrich and Steve Sexton will head Arlington Park and Churchill Downs, respectively, Churchill Downs Inc. announced late the afternoon of Dec. 10.

Sexton has been appointed senior vice president of the company's Kentucky operations and will serve as president of Churchill Downs and Ellis Park in Kentucky.

Goodrich has been named executive vice president of Arlington Park and will assume the role of president of the Arlington Heights, Ill., racetrack and senior vice president of CDI's Illinois operations following a brief transition period.

Goodrich and Sexton will oversee CDI's Trackside off-track betting operations in their respective states. Sexton will also manage the company's interest in Kentucky Off-Track Betting Inc. and Kentucky Downs, the all-turf track in Kentucky.

Goodrich for two years served as chief executive officer of the California Thoroughbred Horsemen's Foundation Inc., a $2-million non-profit organization primarily responsible for the operation of in-house medical and dental clinics for stable-area workers. Previously, Goodrich served as president, chief operating officer and a board member of Santa Anita Park, where he was promoted through the management ranks. Prior to joining Santa Anita Park, Goodrich served as the vice president and general manager of Golden Gate Fields.

"Arlington Park's reputation for quality is second to none, and I am excited to join this top-rate management team as it celebrates such an outstanding performance," Goodrich said. "I am eager to return to racetrack management and thrilled by the prospect of overseeing day-to-day operations for the most beautiful racing facility in America."

Sexton joins the Churchill Downs management team after serving as president of Arlington Park and head of CDI's Illinois operations since August 2001. During his tenure, Sexton guided the Arlington Park team through preparations for the first Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships to be presented by an Illinois racetrack.

Throughout his extensive racing career, Sexton has marketed and managed top horseracing facilities throughout the country, including Santa Anita, Golden Gate, Canterbury Park, and Lone Star Park. Sexton also consulted on the marketing of Ladbrokes' Wyoming OTB network, which included six sites, and assisted with the overall implementation of the 15-site Northern California OTB network.

"I am honored to join the management team of America's most storied racetrack and to be entrusted with one of the most coveted positions in the horseracing industry," Sexton said. "Churchill Downs faces many opportunities--and challenges--in the coming years."