Hall of Fame Kent Desormeaux Receives First Bill Hartack Memorial Award

For Immediate Release March 12, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT: Denise Estopinal / Carey Jiran The Estopinal Group Ph: 504-269-9233 [email protected] [email protected]

New Orleans, LA - March 12, 2009 - Tonight, the inaugural Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation Event and Award Ceremony was held at Harrah's New Orleans Hotel. In partnership with Churchill Downs Racetrack, the Foundation's event precedes the Louisiana Derby activities taking place this weekend at the New Orleans Fairgrounds Race Course.

Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux, champion of the 2008 with winning horse , received the first Bill Hartack Memorial Award. Desormeaux, a Louisiana native, was honored for his achievements and victories in for over two decades. This Saturday, Desormeaux will be riding in the Louisiana Derby aboard Florida-based contender Free Country.

"I am honored to be the inaugural recipient of the Bill Hartack Memorial Award," said Desormeaux. "Bill Hartack was an extremely focused individual and was highly admired among his peers. I am proud to follow in the footsteps of this renowned and esteemed jockey."

HorseRacing TV commentator Jon White hosted the evening's event as Master of Ceremonies. White is a widely known media personality in the Thoroughbred racing industry with a 25-year career as a reporter, columnist, handicapper and chart caller with Daily Racing Form.

The Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation was established by the Friends of Bill Hartack to honor the memory and lifetime achievements of the five-time Kentucky Derby winner. The Foundation, through its philanthropic arm, will annually contribute to Thoroughbred racing industry charities and recognize the jockey who rides the Kentucky Derby winner each year with the Bill Hartack Memorial Award.

Bill Hartack held the title of United States' leading jockey four times throughout his career in Thoroughbred horse racing. He is one of only two jockeys to ever win the Kentucky Derby five times and was the first rider to have purse earnings of $3 million in a season. Hartack was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1959 at the early age of 27 where he was recognized as one of the most competitive and successful riders in Thoroughbred racing history.

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