Churchill Downs News &Notes

By Kevin Kerstein —-

UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE GRADUATE JASON BARKLEY

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019) – University of Louisville graduate Jason Barkley is quickly moving up the training ranks at Churchill Downs as the 30-year-old conditioner leads a “new wave” of horse trainers in Kentucky.

“There are a lot of us here in Kentucky that are around the same age and just starting out,” Barkley said. “Guys like Bentley (Combs), Jordan (Blair), Norm Casse, Matt Shirer and many others – we are all around the same age and just getting going. It’s fun to see a new wave of trainers make a name for ourselves.”

Barkley is a fourth-generation horseman from Evansville, Ind. and knew from a young age he would become a horse trainer. His father, Jeff Barkley, is a common fixture around the Kentucky circuit.

“I always knew I’d be a trainer growing up,” said Barkley, who is a new father to a soon-to-be 3-month-old daughter Aria. “My dad operates his stable out of a small training center and will ship his horses to the different meets around Kentucky. Both sides of my family were involved in horse ownership and training. I remember being in win pictures as a kid with my grandparents.”

Barkley graduated from the University of Louisville Equine Management program in 2011 and worked for trainers Paul McGee and Nick Zito while in college. Shortly after his stint with Zito, Barkley found himself working outside the industry as a casino dealer in New Hampshire but quickly found his way back to the racetrack after getting a job as trainer Joe Sharp’s assistant.

“I lived up in the New England area for a little while and was a dealer at a casino,” Barkley said. “I knew I wanted to eventually get back to the racetrack and had two horses on my own before I took an assistant role with Joe.”

Barkley began training on his own in 2017 and recorded his 27th career win on Wednesday at Churchill Downs. An avid Miami Dolphins fan, Barkley plans to run at Turfway Park in December before wintering at Oaklawn Park where he won five starts in 2018.

“Turfway was a great place to go last year before Oaklawn started.” said Barkley, who was 10-4-0-4 at the Florence, Ky. track before he shifted his barn to Oaklawn. “We’ll have to see which trainers stick around for the meet this year with the enhanced purses but I’m certainly looking forward to it.”

Fans can get to know more about Barkley’s racing stable on his social media channels:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonbarkleyracing/.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jbark131

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jabark131/

STAKES PROBABLES – Six graded stakes races worth purses of $1.975 million highlight closing week of the 26-day Fall Meet at Churchill Downs. Below is an early look at known probable entrants to each race, according to Assistant Racing Secretary and Stakes Coordinator Dan Bork.

Thursday, Nov. 28 (entries taken on Saturday)

The $300,000 Falls City (Grade II) for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles (with trainer): Go Google Yourself (Paul McGee); Moonlit Garden (Brad Cox); and Sally’s Curlin (Dale Romans).

The $175,000 Cardinal (GIII) for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles on turf (with trainer): English Soul (Jack Sisterson); Limari (Brad Cox); Notapradaprice (Eddie Kenneally); Stave (Larry Jones); and Tough Irma (Cipriano Contreras).

Friday, Nov. 29 (entries taken on Sunday)

The $600,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (GI) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles (with trainer): Bravazo (D. Wayne Lukas); Draft Pick (Peter Eurton); Major Cabbie (Peter Miller); Mr Freeze (Dale Romans); Owendale (Brad Cox); Seeking the Soul (Dallas Stewart); Snapper Sinclair (Steve Asmussen); and Tom’s d’Etat (Al Stall Jr.). Possible: Forewarned (Uriah St. Lewis); Mr. Buff (John Kimmel); Roadster (Bob Baffert); and Stan the Man (John Terranova).

The $300,000 Mrs. Revere (GII) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on turf (with trainer): Dalika (GER) (Al Stall Jr.); Nay Lady Nay (IRE) (Chad Brown); New and Improved (Chad Brown); She’sonthewarpath (Steve Margolis); and Winter Sunset (Wayne Catalano).

Saturday, Nov. 24: (entries taken on Wednesday, Nov. 27)

The $300,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles (with trainer): American Butterfly (D. Wayne Lukas); Enforceable (Mark Casse); Fighting Seabee (Kenny McPeek); Mr. Tip (Jack Sisterson); Sir Winsalot (McPeek); South Bend (Stan Hough); and Tiz the Law (Barclay Tagg).

The $300,000 Golden Rod (GII) for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles (with trainer): Auberge (Bob Baffert); Bast (Bob Baffert); Lady Glamour (Larry Demeritte); and Turtle Trax (Ian Wilkes).

JOCKEYS TO WEAR PURPLE RIBBONS THURSDAY TO BRING AWARENESS TO WORLD PANCREATIC CANCER DAY – Jockeys at Churchill Downs and around the country will sport purple ribbons Thursday in hopes to bring greater attention, awareness and better outcomes to Pancreatic Cancer.

“We have encouraged the jockeys to take part and support this important cause to bring attention and awareness to pancreatic cancer, its symptoms and risks and urgent need for research for earlier detection,” said Terry Meyocks, President and CEO of the Jockeys Guild.

“With world-renowned jockey Patrick Smullen diagnosed earlier this year with pancreatic cancer, we wanted to support him by joining this cause to spread the word and take part in this important day,” said John Velazquez, co-chairman of the Jockeys’ Guild.

To learn more about World Pancreatic Cancer Day, visit www.worldpancreaticcancerday.org.

DOWN THE STRETCH – Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. recorded his 300th victory at Churchill Downs in Race 8 on Wednesday aboard heavily favored Gun It for Whisper Hill Farm and Three Chimneys Farm and trainer Steve Asmussen. “I’ve ridden so many winners for Steve, so this win was very special since it was one of his horses,” Santana said. … Thursday’s work tab featured $600,000 Clark (GI) contender Seeking the Soul, who breezed a strong five furlongs :59.80 through splits of :12.20, :24.20 and :35.60 with a six-furlong gallop out in 1:13.20, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols. … $300,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) likely favorite Tiz the Law is scheduled to work Saturday at Belmont Park, according to the NYRA Publicity Department. … Top $300,000 Falls City (GII) contender Go Google Yourself breezed five furlongs in 1:01.80 Thursday morning at Churchill Downs for trainer Paul McGee. “We should have quite the crew out here for Thanksgiving,” said McGee, a native of Louisville. … Wednesday’s carryover late 50-cent Pick 5 had a final pool of $887,870 and returned $2,518.90 to bettors. … Jockey Martin Garcia recorded his first victory at Churchill Downs since 2014 by guiding Patricia’s Hope’s Home Base to a one-length score in Race 9 on Wednesday. … The Single 6 Jackpot had a $158,405 carryover into racing on Thursday. First post for the 10-race card was 1 p.m. and the Single 6 spanned Races 5-10. … “Inside Churchill Downs” will close out its 2019 season Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN 680/105.7. Those outside the Louisville area can listen live at www.espnlouisville.com. … Every Sunday throughout the Fall Meet there is a “Stakes and Eggs” brunch special ($48 for adults and $25 for children) in the Stakes Room.

CHURCHILL DOWNS UNVEILS OFFICIAL 2020 “ART OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY” BY LOUISVILLE ARTIST KEITH ANDERSON

Officially Licensed Artwork Available on Variety of Merchandise, including 146 Limited Edition Signed Posters

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, November 21, 2019) – Churchill Downs today released the 2020 “Official Art of the Kentucky Derby” by beloved Louisville artist Keith Anderson. Anderson’s oil and acrylic paintings capture a perspective of the iconic race that is unlike any ever featured, sharing the energy and color that will be on display during each the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and the Longines Kentucky Oaks.

As a Louisville native and Brown-Forman employee, Anderson is no stranger to the excitement of the Kentucky Derby and horseracing. He and his art are well known among Louisvillians and Derby fans. This year he completed the stunning Woodford Reserve mural that greets Main Street visitors with a field of racing Thoroughbreds and his art graces Woodford Reserve’s beautiful 2018 and 2019 Official Derby Bottles. In the past, Anderson also served drinks from behind Churchill Downs’ bar and worked his share of famous Derby parties.

“To create the Official Art of the Kentucky Derby is an honor and a privilege and the biggest accomplishment of my career as an artist,” said Anderson. “Derby is the time for Louisville to shine. It is our Super Bowl. I thank God for the opportunity and look forward to being on the biggest stage in May.”

“Keith Anderson is a Louisville favorite whose art has become an important part of our city and its love of racing,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “It is an honor for his work to become part of Kentucky Derby history as the Official Art of 146.”

Anderson’s interest in art began at the age of 9 when his older brother, also an artist, introduced him to various paints. While attending Valley High School, he concentrated more and more on art. Anderson sold artwork to help pay his tuition in college at Murray State. He studied art history and learned to work in a variety of mediums. Once he moved back to Louisville, he worked endless hours in his studio, trying to get into art shows. Keith wanted his art to be seen by as many people as possible. He was the first artist chosen to create two Woodford Reserve Official Derby bottles in back to back years. He was also the first employee of Brown-Forman headquarters, as well as the first African-American, to do the artwork for the bottle. Keith’s artwork can be seen throughout the city of Louisville, on buildings in downtown to the Frazier History Museum. He currently shows his art around town and plans to open his own gallery. Anderson’s original artwork for the Woodford Reserve Derby bottles is on display at Frazier History Museum until January 2020 as part of its exhibit, Woodford Reserve and the Kentucky Derby: Two Decades of Artistry, Bourbon and Horse Racing.

Anderson’s “Official Art of the Kentucky Derby” will be featured on 2020 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks merchandise, including a 146 limited edition artist-signed poster with embossed and metallic ink treatments. Other merchandise includes apparel, posters, postcards and souvenir racing programs and is available at select retail outlets including the Kentucky Derby Museum and www.KentuckyDerbyStore.com.

About Churchill Downs Racetrack

Churchill Downs has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented the Kentucky Derby since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) offers year-round simulcast wagering. Churchill Downs will conduct the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 2, 2020. The 2019 Fall Meet takes place through December 1. Churchill Downs has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships nine times. www.ChurchillDowns.com.