Steve Sexton

Executive Vice President,Churchill Downs, Inc.
President, Churchill Downs Entertainment

Steve Sexton assumed the role of President of the newly established Churchill Downs Entertainment in February of 2009 after serving as President of Churchill Downs racetrack since December 2002, and Executive Vice President of Racing Operations for CDI since 2007.  Churchill Downs Entertainment (CDE) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Churchill Downs, Inc, created to expand the company’s entertainment offerings while creating new revenue streams – both at CDI properties and other locations throughout the country.

Sexton formerly presided over all of Churchill Downs Incorporated’s pari-mutuel operations in Kentucky, including Trackside Louisville, an off-track betting (OTB) facility and training track located five miles from Churchill Downs; the Company’s interests in Kentucky Off-Track Betting Inc., a collection of OTBs owned in partnership by Kentucky’s Thoroughbred tracks; the Company’s interest in Kentucky Downs, a Thoroughbred racing and simulcast facility in Franklin, Ky.; and the Company’s racing operations at Calder Race Course in Florida; Arlington Park in Chicago; and Fair Grounds in New Orleans.  

Sexton joined the Churchill Downs team after serving as president of Arlington Park and head of the Company’s Illinois operations since August 2001. While at Arlington Park, Sexton guided the track through preparations for the first Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships to be hosted by an Illinois racetrack. As president of Churchill Downs racetrack, Sexton steered the Company’s flagship operation through its massive $121 million grandstand and clubhouse renovation, which was completed in April 2005.  And in November 2006, he guided the Churchill Downs team as the home of the Kentucky Derby hosted the Breeders’ Cup for a record sixth time.  

He first became involved in racetrack management in 1983 when he held the post of sales promotion manager at Santa Anita. In 1985, Sexton was appointed assistant marketing director at Ladbroke’s Canterbury Downs, and in 1986 became assistant general manager/director of marketing for Ladbroke’s Golden Gate Fields. In 1991, Sexton was appointed General Manager at Thistledown in Cleveland.

In May 1994, he was appointed vice president/assistant general manager at Lone Star Park and was involved in the start up of the Texas track. He was promoted to executive vice president and general manager in January 2000 and served in that capacity until joining Arlington as executive vice president in April 2001. He was appointed president of the racetrack four months later.
    
Sexton has been involved in the community and the industry during his career and is now active in the Louisville community.  Sexton is currently a member of the boards for the following community organizations: Louisville Metro Police Foundation, Lincoln Foundation, Greater Louisville Inc., and Governor’s Scholars Board of Directors.      

A native of Topeka, Kan., Sexton graduated from Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif., with majors in economics and psychology.