Former Churchill Downs track president Steve Sexton dies

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Former Churchill Downs track president Steve Sexton, who guided the home of the Kentucky Derby through its largest renovation project, has died in Texas after a brief illness. He was 57.

Churchill Downs’ parent company, Churchill Downs Inc., confirmed Sexton’s death Monday. Sexton was the 12th president in the track’s history, overseeing operations at the track from 2002 to 2009. He also served as an executive vice president with the track’s parent company.

The parent company’s CEO, Bill Carstanjen, praised Sexton’s leadership during “key years of change” for the track and the Kentucky Derby.

Sexton guided the track through a more than $120 million project that renovated the venerable track’s clubhouse and grandstand. The multi-year construction was completed in 2005. The track has undergone a series of upgrades since.