October
21, 2009 - Keeneland was declared the winner of this year’s Simulcast
Award recently at the International Simulcast Conference in Saratoga
Springs, N.Y. The award gives Keeneland the distinction of becoming the
only three-time winner of the prestigious contest. Jim Goodman,
Simulcast Operation and Marketing Manager at Keeneland, accepted the
beautiful crystal trophy sponsored by Post Time Technologies.
The Simulcast Award honors excellence in the presentation of a
racetrack’s live race product to its simulcast outlets. A panel of five
judges selected Keeneland as best among 15 North American racetracks
entered for consideration.
The judges cited Keeneland’s use of the Trakus technology in displaying
in-race running order with odds, along with changes shown on a scroll
and quick post-race display of payoffs. Director of Broadcast Services
G.D. Hieronymus heads the track’s television production crew, while Mike
Battaglia is the on-air paddock show host for the telecast.
This year’s panel of judges consisted of: Theresia Muller, CPA and
Treasurer of Horseplayers Association of North America (HANA); John
Pricci, Executive Editor of HorseRaceInsider.com; a committee of
University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program students, coordinated
by Program Director Doug Reed; Steve Schwartz, handicapper for
ProPickRacing.com; and freelance writer Steve Viuker.
The 15 track entries were the actual simulcast audio and
video transmission of a single race sent to wagering outlets. Each entry
included the pre-race features, odds, will-pays, commentaries, the actual
running of the race, the results, and post-race features. Keeneland’s winning
entry originally aired April 8, 2009 and featured the Vinery Madison Stakes
(G1).
The winning production had noteworthy competition from other vote-getting tracks
such as Churchill Downs, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Saratoga, and Woodbine
Entertainment Group. Each received first, second, or third-place votes on
several ballots.
Last year, the Simulcast Award was presented to Keeneland for the second time,
having previously won the award in 2003. Previous winners were Woodbine (2004,
2006-7), Churchill Downs (1997), Turfway Park (1998), Penn National (1999),
Santa Anita Park (2000-1), Hollywood Park (2002), Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
(2005), and Los Alamitos (2007).
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