Gary Palmisano

During its nine-week 2024 meet, Colonial Downs will offer more than $2.4 million in non-stakes purses to horses who are Virginia Certified and the track's first condition book features 46 Virginia-restricted races. Any horse that maintained residency in Virginia for at least a six-month consecutive period prior to Dec. 31 of its 2-year-old year qualifies. "We often hear from owners and trainers who did not know their horse qualifies for our Virginia Restricted races," said Gary Palmisano, Executive Director of Racing for Churchill Downs. "The rules are unique to what...

Turfway Park Racing & Gaming will once again be open for year-round training, track officials announced Wednesday. Summer stall applications are due Mar. 15. "There is once again significant interest from trainers to remain based at Turfway Park for year-round training," said Gary Palmisano, Jr., vice president of racing for Churchill Downs, Inc. "Turfway is conveniently located within a reasonable van drive to both Churchill Downs and Ellis Park. Any trainer that ships a horse from Turfway to compete at either of those two tracks, along with Colonial Downs and...

Turfway Park Racing & Gaming and Claiborne Farm have teamed up to present a three-race series which will reward top-three-finishing fillies and mares a future stallion credit when they retire from racing. Dubbed the "Make Your Mare" series, the top three finishers of the Dec. 2 Holiday Inaugural S., Dec. 9 My Charmer S., and Jan. 13 Likely Exchange S. will all receive "Claiborne Credit" on a $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500 scale to be applied to future stallion fees. "We're very excited to partner with Claiborne Farm for this series...

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) on Tuesday approved a Thoroughbred racing calendar for 2024 that largely mirrors the template that has been in place for the past three seasons. The board's unanimous approval included a conditional "optional dates" placeholder for Ellis Park's July and August calendar that has to be solidified into a three-dates-per-week commitment before the end of this year. The gaming company Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI), which owns Ellis, Churchill Downs Racetrack, and Turfway Park, had requested additional time to figure out if swapping Fridays for Mondays...

Officials at the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the Jockeys' Guild have announced that members of the newly formed Jockey Mental Health Steering Committee and Advisory Council have been appointed. An inaugural meeting of the new groups will take place Tuesday, Oct. 3 at Columbia University in New York City. The Steering Committee, led by Ambassador Earle Mack, was created with a collective goal of driving research, programming, and resources towards jockey mental wellness initiatives. The steering committee members are as follows: Ambassador Earle Mack; Denali Stud's Craig...

Edited Press Release A horse ownership stake with Skychai Racing, an outdoor cigar lounge and multiple ready-for-Instagram backgrounds are just a few of the new features added this year to Second Stride's 12th annual Derby week Champions Night at Molly Malone's in the Highlands section of Louisville Monday, May 1 from 6-9 pm. Of all fundraisers taking place Derby week, it is the only event raising money for the horses, enabling the Louisville-based organization to continue to provide professional rehabilitation, retraining and placement of retired thoroughbred racehorses.  Placing over 100...

Gary Palmisano, Jr. has been promoted to Executive Director of Racing for Churchill Downs Incorporated, the company announced Monday. In this role, CDI says Palmisano will "support and enhance the Company's commitment to the U.S. Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry as well as focus on the implementation of standards and processes outlined in the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act" across CDI racing properties. "Gary brings a wealth of varied industry experience that ideally positions him for success in this role," said Bill Mudd, President and Chief Operating Officer at...

Spots are still available for owners in two new Churchill Downs Racing Club horses. Trainers Brad Cox and Tommy Drury will pick out and train an unraced 2-year-old for each of the new groups. Established in 2016, the club gives 400 people (200 per club) a low-cost pathway to introduce and experience the enjoyment of Thoroughbred racehorse ownership for the one-time membership dues of $500. Gary Palmisano will represent the club's interest and serve as a liaison for the club's members. Benefits include regular e-mail updates on the horse, visits...