Former Arlington Executive to Kentucky Downs

Kentucky Downs has named Ted Nicholson vice president of the Franklin, Ky. track. Nicholson had been consulting with Kentucky Downs on its 2015 racing season prior to being named to this permanent position.

"I have known Ted for more than 20 years and have admired his performance in horse racing, gaming and sports," said Kentucky Downs president Corey Johnsen. "His wide range of experience is the perfect fit within the team as we take our company to the next level, continuing to expand with more exciting projects and innovations in the future."

A native of Arlington Heights, Ill., outside of Chicago, where he managed Arlington International Racecourse for Churchill Downs Inc., Nicholson also held executive positions at two other CDI tracks, Calder Race Course in Miami and Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, where he had first-hand experience in gaming as well as crisis management following Hurricane Katrina.

Before coming to Kentucky, he was the chief operating officer of New York City Off-Track Betting and was vice president of operations at Suffolk Downs in Boston.

"I am very excited to work for a racetrack that is a true success story," Nicholson said. "I look forward to doing my part to add to that success."

As the first vice president and general manager of the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky., Nicholson executed the grand opening of the $240 million, 22,500-seat sports and concert facility. Nicholson most recently served as a partner with the horse racing consulting firm, Racing Resource Group based in Louisville. Prior to that, he served as interim executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park.