Representatives From United States Armed Forces To Present Garland Of Roses To Winner Of Kentucky Derby 129

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 1, 2003) - Representatives from the four branches of the United States Armed Forces - Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines - will present the garland of roses to the winner of the 129th Kentucky Derby to be run Saturday, May 3, 2003, at historic Churchill Downs. The announcement was made today by Churchill Downs President Steve Sexton.

Servicemen participating in the rose garland presentation include Sergeant George Avila (U.S. Army), Yeoman 1st Class Christopher Menifee (U.S. Navy), Tech Sergeant Rarchar Tortorello (U.S. Air Force) and Sergeant Brian Melton (U.S. Marines). Petty Officer 2nd Class Brett Fitzgerald (U.S. Navy) will present the traditional bouquet of roses to the winning jockey.

Yeoman 1st Class Christopher Menifee is one of seven sailors attending Derby 129 as part of a special hospitality program, "Operation Sea Heroes," that was coordinated by the Navy's Division of Morale, Welfare and Recreation ("MWR") and sponsored by Churchill Downs Incorporated. The four other servicemen (Avila, Tortorello, Melton and Fitzgerald) will participate in a special military tribute following the seventh race on the Derby Day undercard.

"The Kentucky Derby is America's race, and we thought it only appropriate that U.S. servicemen join us this year as we crown another Derby champion," said Sexton. "These individuals, representing all four branches of the United States Armed Forces, have volunteered to serve their country in times of war and peace. We are grateful for their service and look forward to including them in Churchill Downs' most prestigious Winner's Circle presentation."

In years past, jockeys' assistants - known as valets - have carried the rose garland from the tunnel beneath the Twin Spires-topped Jockey Club to the Derby Winner's Circle. Valets will continue to be involved in this year's presentation and will assist the servicemen in draping the rose blanket across the withers of the winning horse.

Post time for the 129th Kentucky Derby is scheduled for 6:04 p.m. EDT. NBC Sports will broadcast the race and Winner's Circle presentation live beginning at 5 p.m.

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 and training facility. Churchill Downs will conduct the 129th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2003. The track has served as host to the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships a record five times. The 2003 Spring Meet at Churchill Downs runs from April 26 through July 6. Information about Churchill Downs can be found on the Internet at www.churchilldowns.com.

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