Derby sponsor ponies up $1M bonus |
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Mon, 30 Apr 2007 20:51
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - There will be a $1 million bonus at the Kentucky Derby if the first-place horse wins by more than 6 1/2 lengths -- the margin of Barbaro's victory last year.The bonus would be divided Saturday among the winning trainer, jockey, owner and a charity, with each receiving 25 percent, it was announced Monday. The designated charity is the Barbaro Memorial Fund.'It's certainly creative, it's certainly fun and it has something for the horsemen, which we always want to embrace,' Churchill Downs president and chief executive Robert Evans said at a news conference. 'What's really cool is it will force us to remember Barbaro.'The so-called Yumfecta will be paid by Yum! Brands, the Derby's presenting sponsor for the second consecutive year and parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver's and A&W restaurants. To pay the bonus, the Louisville company took out an insurance policy.'We anticipate it being a hit,' said David Novak, Yum! Brands chairman and CEO.Barbaro's winning margin was the largest since 1946 when Assault won by eight lengths. Only four other horses in the race's 132-year history have won by 6 1/2 lengths or more.Saturday's winner need only surpass Barbaro's victory margin by a nose to collect the bonus, Novak said.'This is all geared around the fact that he had a tremendous victory,' Novak said. 'We want to keep his memory alive with this.'Barbaro broke his right hind leg in the Preakness Stakes and was euthanized in January after a gallant struggle that captivated the public.The Barbaro Memorial Fund benefits the New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa., where the colt underwent several operations and lived out his final months.Besides the bonus, the winner's share is $1.24 million from a total guaranteed purse of $2 million.The bonus will be reviewed after this year, although Novak said he anticipates it would be offered again, with the Barbaro Memorial Fund continuing as the designated charity.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Wine making inroads at Churchill Downs 