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Churchill Downs's COO to appear on CBS's 'Undercover Boss' Sunday night

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Churchill Downs Inc. Chief Operating Officer Bill Carstenjen will be the subject of CBS's "Undercover Boss" airing Sunday night at 9 p.m. on WLKY.

In the episode, Carstenjen ventures to CDI-owned Calder Casino and Race Course in Miami and Arlington Park near Chicago to get a look at the company from the perspective of the employees, well-removed from the executive suites above the historic flagship course on Central Avenue.

According to Churchill Downs staff reports, Carstenjen spent 10 days experiencing the life of track personnel: shadowing trainers, track maintenance and housekeeping, and even a bugler (as shown in this preview).

Sunday night is not the first time Churchill Downs has been a part of reality television. In recent years, crews have filmed preliminary, ear-piercing rounds of "American Idol"; followed Kiss frontman Gene Simmons with longtime love (and Playmate linked to Hugh Hefner) Shannon Tweed to a pari-mutuel window on Derby Day for "Gene Simmons' Family Jewels"; and chased fellow Playmates and "Girls Next Door" Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt, and Kendra Wilkinson (as well as the aforementioned octogenarian) around the track.

Last fall, viewers of "Jockeys" on Animal Planet witnessed the true drama of Derby Day, as morning line favorite I Want Revenge was scratched Derby morning, dashing the hopes of 19-year-old phenom Joe Talamo. (Fortunately for Animal Planet's cameras and the the network's reputation, your humble correspondent remained just outside the frame during several scenes.)

"Southern Belles: Louisville" aired last year on SOAPnet. One supposes there had to be some scenes filmed at the track (or at least B-roll of the Twin Spires). However, this cannot be confirmed, as no one has been found who admits to watching this show.

This correspondent has his DVR set for Sunday night's program and cannot wait until other Louisville-based companies follow the example of Churchill Downs Inc. and Carstenjen. What if we saw Papa John Schnatter making a pizza? Oh, wait...

You also might enjoy: Family fun in Quito, Ecuador: Louisville's Sister City

Photo: Courtesy "Undercover Boss"

UNDERCOVER BOSS CHURCHILL DOWNS

I JUST GOT DONE CRYING WATCHING THIS SHOW. NOT BECAUSE I WAS SO TOUCHED BY THE SHOW ITSELF BUT BECAUSE I WAS THINKING OF MY OLD MAN WHO TRAINS @ CALDER ( MANUEL J. WAYAR ). HE CAME TO THE U.S. IN 1972 FROM ARGENTINA, WORKED AS A BUSBOY & WAITER FOR 5 YRS. TO EARN MONEY, MET MY MOM, GOT MARRIED, HAD ME IN 1976 AND THEN STARTED @ BELMONT AS A BARN HAND FOR ANGEL PENNA. HE DIDN'T EVEN ALLOW ME TO LEARN SPANISH BECAUSE HE FELT THAT AS A PROUD AMERICAN, HE AND HIS SON WILL SPEAK ONLY ENGLISH. HE WORKED HIS WAY UP TO ASST. TRAINER FOR PENNA JR. AND DID THAT FOR MANY MANY YRS. 4:30AM @ THE TRACK EVERY DAY TILL 3:30 AND BACK @ 7PM TO DO HIS NIGHT WORK. WHEN SARATOGA CAME AROUND, HE WOULD BE GONE FOR A MONTH OR MORE WORKING. IN 1994ish, HE MOVED TO FLORIDA TO TRAIN FOR HIMSELF @ CALDER. HIS DREAM CAME TRUE! OR DID IT? HE WAS DOING OK FOR SOME TIME, BUT IN THE PAST 5 YRS. OR SO THINGS HAVE GONE REALLY SOUR. HE DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH STALLS, HE LOST HIS HOUSE TO FORECLOSURE, GOT A DIVORCE, EVEN LOST HIS CAR!! MY 3 CHILDREN WHO ARE 8 5 AND 3 YRS. OLD NEVER MET HIM IN PERSON BECAUSE HE CAN'T AFFORD TO COME TO NY TO SEE THEM. SAFE TO SAY, THAT WHEN I SAW THAT SHOW.....ALTHOUGH I WAS HAPPY FOR THE BLONDE TRAINER.....I JUST WISHED FOR MY FATHER'S SAKE IT WAS HIM WHO GOT CHOSEN FOR THE SHOW.

Contact Info.

Hi. Do you have an email address for your father (Manuel J. Wayar)? I'm trying to reach the owner of a couple of horses that he trains, Kaye McGlothin. Thanks, La Rue

bill carstanjen,undercover boss

Mr.Carstanjen stated that he didn't know much about horses.He apparently doesn't know much about horse racing history either as he also stated that Churchill Downs is the oldest continually operating racetrack in the country.WRONG!!!!! Saratoga racecourse in upstate N.Y. is the oldest continually operating racetrack in the U.S.

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