(Edited Churchill Downs report)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – First-time winner Leandro Goncalves, defending titlist Mike Maker and record-setting owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey are the recipients of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Media awards for 2009, and the champions will be honored at Churchill Downs on closing day Sunday, July 4 in the Trackside Winner’s Circle immediately following the second race at 1:16 p.m. (all times Eastern).
 
The KTM awards annually recognize the Kentucky-based owner, jockey and trainer with the most wins in the calendar year at the commonwealth’s five Thoroughbred tracks. They are given in conjunction with The Jockey Information Systems and Equineline.com, which provide the statistical data.
 
Goncalves, in his first full year on the Kentucky circuit, won 174 races, 36 more than two-time KTM winner Julien Leparoux, including taking Turfway’s 2009 fall title. His victories included capturing Churchill Downs’ River City Handicap with Rahystrada and Keeneland’s Raven Run with Satans Quick Chick.
 
Winning the KTM Owner of the Year Award for the 10th straight year are Ken and Sarah Ramsey of Nicholasville, who last year swept both Churchill Downs meet titles and captured Keeneland’s fall crown. Horses carrying the Ramseys’ familiar red-and-white silks won 75 races in Kentucky, 16 more than Louisville businessman Billy Hays.
 
With the Ramseys a major client, Maker powered to his second KTM Trainer of the Year honors with 96 victories, 36 more than second-place Kenny McPeek. His victories included the Kentucky Cup Classic with the Ramseys’ Furthest Land and the Churchill Downs Stakes with longshot Accredit. In capturing the winter/spring meet crown, Maker won a fifth straight title at Turfway.
 
Kentucky Thoroughbred Media is an organization of journalists, publicists and photographers who cover the state’s Thoroughbred racing and breeding industries. The Jockey Club Information Systems is a multimedia information and service provider incorporated in 1989 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Jockey Club. Equineline.com, also a subsidiary, offers Internet-based reports for breeding, racing and sales information for Thoroughbreds and American Quarter Horses, along with management programs for owners, breeders, trainers and farms.