Lisa Underwood Young, former executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, died at home of a heart attack Dec. 9. She was 57.
Underwood was a prominent attorney specializing in data privacy and security at the Lexington office of Wyatt Tarrant & Combs. She served as executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission for five years and was instrumental in hiring its first medical director, launching historical race wagering and Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, and helping to facilitate the process of drug-testing racehorses. She received Racing Commission International's 2009 Len Foote Award for outstanding achievements and contributions to the racing industry.
She began her legal career with a large Nashville-based firm before becoming a partner at Wyatt Tarrant & Combs. She served as deputy commissioner of the Department of Public Protection and was senior corporate council for Mason & Hanger Corporation from 1996-99.
Underwood is survived by her husband Richard Young, her father former mayor pro tem Tom Underwood, her brother Trip Underwood, her nephew Rusty Underwood, her niece Kassi Underwood-Murphy, and her beloved dog Darcy. She was a graduate of Sayre School, the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., and the University of Kentucky College of Law. She was a member of Idle Hour Country Club, the Keeneland Club, and Christ Church Episcopal.
Funeral services will be held Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. at Christ Church Cathedral with interment following at the Lexington Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church Dec. 13, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm or the Race Track Chaplaincy of America.
