"Art of the Kentucky Derby" Signings Scheduled For April 13-14

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 11, 2002) - American illustrator Gary Kelley, the official artist for the 2002 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, will make several appearances in Louisville this weekend to sign his Derby and Oaks posters and other officially licensed merchandise featured in this year's "Art of the Kentucky Derby" series.

Kelley will visit Louisville this weekend for the invitation-only opening of an exhibition of his work at the Kentucky Derby Museum. "Equestrian Style: Paintings and Drawings by Gary Kelley," will open at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, April 14 and continue July 7. His scheduled stops this weekend include (all times EDT):

Saturday, April 13

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Hawley-Cooke Booksellers,Shelbyville Road
Plaza, 4600 Shelbyville Road

1:00-2:00 p.m.
She Incorporated
Colony Center, 211 Clover Lane

2:30-4:30 p.m.
Trackside Louisville (formerly Churchill Downs Sports Spectrum)
4520 Poplar Level Road

5:00-6:00 p.m.
The Party Source, Springhurst Towne Center
4301 Towne Center Drive (will autograph wine and posters)

Sunday, April 14

1:00-2:00 p.m.
Dillard's, Mall St. Matthews
5000 Shelbyville Road

2:30-4:00 p.m. Marcum's (grand reopening), Oxmoor Center
7900 Shelbyville Road

6:30 p.m. - Opening of "Equestrian Style: Paintings and Drawings by Gary Kelley" (invitation only)
Kentucky Derby Museum
704 Central Avenue

Kelley's exhibition at the Kentucky Derby Museum will feature original equine-themed oils, pastels and drawings. The exhibition is sponsored in part by the Louisville Graphic Design Association. The work included in the Kelley exhibition will be available for purchase.

Kelley's work has been featured in such publications as Entertainment Weekly, Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker, Time, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Playboy and Sports Illustrated. His artwork is prominently featured on murals located in Barnes and Noble stores across the United States. He has also created work for major sports events in the National Football League - including two Super Bowls - and the National Basketball Association. Kelley has received 25 gold and silver medals from the Society of Illustrators annual exhibitions. He has had several solo exhibitions across the United States, as well as in Paris and Tokyo. His illustrations have been featured in many books. Kelley, who works out of his home in Cedar Falls, Iowa, received his BA degree in art from the University of Northern Iowa in 1968 and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from that institution in 1995.

Louisville, Ky.-based JettSport Inc. is in its second year as the official licensee for the "Art of the Kentucky Derby" series. Earlier this year, the company reached an agreement with Churchill Downs on a three-year contract that will make JettSport, Inc. the official licensee for the series and other track-related art through 2004.

Churchill Downs, the world's most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America's greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN) also operates Trackside Louisville, an off-track betting facility. Churchill Downs will conduct the 128th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2002. The track has served as host to the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships a record five times. The 2002 Spring Meet at Churchill Downs is scheduled for April 27 through July 7.