Fair Grounds and Calder get new leaders

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - Fair Grounds and Calder Race Courses, both owned by Churchill Downs, Inc., will each be getting new presidents. The announcement was made Tuesday by the parent corporation.

Taking the reins at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans will be Timothy Bryant, replacing Austin Miller, who takes over at Calder in Miami Gardens, Florida. Bryant most recently served as vice president of operations and finance at Harrah's New Orleans.

"We are very pleased Austin Miller has accepted our offer to become Calder's President as we felt very strongly he was the best candidate to take over the larger gaming and racing operations at our Miami facility," said Bill Carstanjen, CDI's chief operating officer. "Austin did a tremendous job building our Fair Grounds slots operations and managing the racing, slots and off-track betting parlors. He has a proven track record in the gaming and racing businesses and will be a tremendous asset as we grow our Calder operations.

"We are also thrilled to welcome Tim Bryant to our team at Fair Grounds. Tim's experience and capabilities in the gaming industry, along with his familiarity with the New Orleans market, makes him a perfect fit with Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots operation."

Bryant becomes a senior vice president of Churchill Downs, Inc., a position Miller currently holds.

"The President role at the Fair Grounds is a great opportunity for me," said Bryant, "made even more special by the fact it is in New Orleans, which has been my home for the last four years. I look forward to leading the team at Fair Grounds and continuing to be a part of this special, vibrant community."

At Calder, Miller replaces Tom O'Donnell, whose departure from his position has been planned after overseeing the building of the casino and poker facilities at the Miami-area facility.

"This is certainly bittersweet for me as my New Orleans team members are like family to me," noted Miller, "but the challenge of taking Calder to the next level in the highly competitive Miami gaming market is just a fantastic opportunity that I can't pass up. I look forward to working with the great team that Tom has assembled and I will leave the Fair Grounds knowing it will be in great hands with Tim Bryant, whom I've known and respected for many years."

The Fair Grounds is home to the $750,000 Louisiana Derby, a major race for three-year-olds on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Calder hosts the $100,000 Tropical Park Derby for three-year-olds on the turf.