Johnsen HBPA Convention Keynote Speaker

Corey Johnsen, president and part-owner of Kentucky Downs, will give the keynote address at the National HBPA's 2017 convention March 8-11 at Las Vegas' South Point Hotel and Casino.

Johnsen heads the management team that has taken Kentucky Downs from novelty to industry leader, offering some of the most lucrative purses in America during its boutique all-grass meets.

Johnsen, Ray Reid, and their partners in Kentucky Downs began operating historical horse racing terminals Sept. 1, 2011. In the past five years, the track's purses have mushroomed from $746,810 for the meet to $7.8 million in 2016.

Kentucky Downs is also using its economic firepower to benefit the entire state circuit, including working with the Kentucky HBPA to transfer $1.35 million in purses to Ellis Park for its 2016 meet. That largesse helped entice trainers and jockeys to stay in Kentucky for the summer, sparking a successful Ellis Park meet.

Eric Hamelback, chief executive officer for the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said he wanted a keynote speaker in the mode of Tampa Bay Downs president Stella Thayer and Oaklawn Park general manager Eric Jackson, who gave the featured addresses the past two conventions.

"One thing that I have tried to bring to the National HBPA's platform is the importance and proclamation of being positive in our industry," Hamelback said. "It's unfair at times to our owners and to our participants that all they hear is negativism. We have got to get out of that mindset. That's been my goal in setting up our conventions, starting with Mrs. Thayer and Mr. Jackson.

"Corey Johnsen clearly fits that bill. He is positive. He is upbeat and believes in being a team player and working together with horsemen and other tracks. He is very appreciative of the participants and our national owners and trainers, what they go through and what they have to give to this sport. Being a horseman himself makes him ideal to set off our convention. If everybody had his attitude, racing would be in great shape."

Johnsen calls being the HBPA's keynote speaker one of the biggest honors in a career that saw him start as a teenage $2 bettor at Longacres Racetrack in Renton, Wash., and groom at Centennial in Littleton, Colo., the summer before his graduation from Arizona State University. 

"When I was grooming horses the summer before my senior year in college, to even dream that I would have the honor to address the National HBPA conference was beyond comprehension," said Johnsen, who also is an owner and breeder. "Throughout my career, I've always tried to remember that this is about the horse and all the participants involved in the sport. That's been my guiding light. So it's really gratifying to have this opportunity."

Johnsen will be part of a convention panel comprised of track operators discussing how strong working relationships with their owners and trainers is good for business.

"There are so many things positive about our sport, sometimes we get lost in all the negativity," Johnsen said. "I think it's important that we all discuss those positive advantages we have over other sports and entertainment to allow us to work together and maximize our success."