Gary Palmisano Jr., whose father worked as a trainer and horse racing official in Louisiana for nearly five decades, grew up around the New Orleans fairgrounds and is well-acquainted with the racing community. Following his late father’s guidance, he pursued a career on the “other side” of the track. He studied Equine Business at the University of Louisville, quickly securing an internship in marketing at Churchill Downs. After college, he worked various roles at the New Orleans fairgrounds before returning to Churchill Downs for a full-time position.
Palmisano held several roles at Churchill Downs before being named executive director of horse racing in September 2022. He is now the vice president overseeing racing operations at tracks in Kentucky, New Orleans, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The horse racing industry under his leadership has thrived, thanks in part to historic horse racing machines in Kentucky and Virginia. Churchill Downs is poised to surpass $1 billion in transactions by 2025. Colonial Downs in Virginia has prepared extensively for the Kentucky Derby, and Turfway Park in northern Kentucky has experienced a strong winter season with large purses and competitive fields.
This weekend, Turfway hosts its second annual Synthetic Championship featuring four $250,000 stakes on a 10-race card starting at 5:55 p.m. ET. Palmisano explained that the Synthetic Championships were designed to highlight Turfway and boost wagering during a sports lull, offering a strong race day for horses preferring synthetic surfaces and giving mares additional opportunities before breeding season. The event has attracted overflow entries and star jockeys like Irad Ortiz Jr. and Flavien Prat, reflecting its quality.
Regarding Turfway’s synthetic surface, Palmisano is confident it will remain long-term, emphasizing its resilience in Northern Kentucky’s unpredictable winter weather. Tapeta, the synthetic surface, has allowed races to continue that would have been canceled on traditional dirt tracks, and the facility stays open year-round to support trainers.
Reflecting on Churchill Downs’ recent large racing meet, Palmisano noted annual wagers have exceeded $1 billion, nearly doubling since 2017. Improvements like keeping Turfway open year-round have increased horse starters, boosted field sizes, and enhanced betting handles. Team coordination at Churchill contributed significantly to these gains.
Regarding Churchill’s new grass course, Palmisano is pleased with its condition and its ability to handle races year-round despite the challenges of seasonal temperature changes. The course requires careful maintenance, especially given the long racing season and varying weather.
Looking ahead, Palmisano shared that Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) continues to seek innovative ways to grow racing, including new events like the Virginia Derby and the upcoming Oak Grove Horse Racing Festival, aiming to increase excitement and industry growth.
Although the 2025-2026 Fairgrounds Games faced challenges due to revenue losses from court rulings affecting historic horse racing (HHR), efforts continue to find sustainable solutions with Louisiana stakeholders to secure the Fair Grounds’ future.
Addressing criticism that CDI is more of a gaming company than a racing company, Palmisano acknowledged the importance of gaming revenue in supporting and enhancing racing products. He stressed that gaming and racing complement each other and are essential to the sport’s long-term success. Palmisano’s role bridges the racing and gaming divisions, focusing on managing opportunities responsibly and strengthening racing across CDI’s facilities.
Fan Take: This update highlights how innovation and strategic management are helping horse racing flourish despite challenges, offering fans better race days and bigger events. It signals a promising future where racing and gaming work hand in hand to sustain and grow the sport for new generations of enthusiasts.
