Welcome to the TDN Op Ed page, where a selected stable of writers will, from time to time, offer their opinion and perspective on matters concerning the racing industry. The viewpoints expressed herein are not necessarily those of the management, but promise to represent what we consider to be responsible comment.

Comments? Please respond to TDN management at suefinley@thoroughbreddailynews.com.

Corey Johnsen is the President of Kentucky Downs, the European-style race course located in Franklin, Kentucky, and the Vice President and Partner in Richland Hills, Inc. Johnsen has worked in the horse racing industry, primarily as a racetrack executive, since his graduation from Arizona State University 30 years ago. Prior to investing in the Kentucky horse racing and breeding industries, Johnsen was the President of Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, and was involved in its development. Johnsen has also been involved in the opening or re-opening of three other tracks throughout the world: Remington Park in Oklahoma City, Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico City and Maronas National Racetrack in Montevideo, Uruguay. From 2005-2007, he was the President of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations. In 1986, Johnsen received an Eclipse Award for local video production. Over the past five years, Johnsen and partners have been involved in thoroughbred ownership in North and South America. In 2007, the group owned the Grade 1 stakes winner Honey Rose (ARG), who was purchased in her native Argentina and brought to the United States for a successful campaign. Johnsen and partners own numerous stallions, mares and foals in Uruguay and Argentina, as well as in Kentucky and New York.

• 3/27/2010 - A TRUE HALL OF FAMER
  
  My good friend and mentor Chick Lang passed away last week. Chick is best known as “Mr. Preakness.” During his tenure at Pimlico, he was the driving force behind taking the Preakness from a weak sister to the Kentucky Derby and Belmont S. to making it the “Middle Jewel” of the Triple Crown. — (click here to read the entire article)
  
  
• 1/28/2010 - 20-SOMETHING
  
  I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard, "Horse racing is a dying sport. Its customers are doing just that--dying off--and there is no one to replace them. Young people don't like horse racing." And those statements were made by people within the industry! — (click here to read the entire article)
  
  
• 6/24/2009 - HISTORIC MONTH IN KENTUCKY
  
  The Kentucky Equine Education Project will host a rally at the Keeneland Sales Pavilion on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and Speaker of the House Greg Stumbo will be on hand to address members of the state's signature industry. Earlier in the week, the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee voted 10-5 to not send House Bill 2, which authorized VLT's at Kentucky racetracks, to the floor of the Senate for a full vote of the members. So why have a rally after a disappointing defeat? — (click here to read the entire article)
  
  
• 6/16/2009 - LET KENTUCKY COMPETE
  
  This is the most important week to the Kentucky Thoroughbred industry since 1902, when Colonel Matt Winn and a group of investors purchased Churchill Downs, which was in financial ruin and ready to shut down. As we all know, the rest is history for Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby and the sport of horse racing. Like 107 years ago, the Kentucky Thoroughbred industry is at a crossroads. — (click here to read the entire article)
  
  

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