Bredar new Churchill secretary

Doug Bredar said Wednesday that he has been hired as the racing secretary at Churchill Downs. He will assume his duties beginning March 8.

Bredar replaces Jerry Botts, who held the position until his death Jan. 1. Four other people were interviewed for the job. Bredar, 40, currently is employed as assistant racing secretary at Hollywood Park, which is owned by Churchill.

On Wednesday Bredar was on a recruiting trip in New Orleans along with Martin Panza, Hollywood's racing secretary. He will return to Hollywood at the end of this week to finish out several stakes closings before starting his Churchill duties.

Before his current position, Bredar had served as racing secretary at Turf Paradise, the Woodlands, and Prairie Meadows. He also has extensive background as a racing official in Illinois.

"I'm extremely grateful that Churchill Downs has given me this tremendous opportunity," said Bredar. Botts, he said, "was a wonderful man, and I hope to build upon all of his accomplishments."

Bredar is the husband of Caton Bredar, a longtime racing media personality who currently is an anchor at Television Games Network.

A formal announcement by Churchill was expected Thursday. The Churchill spring meet begins April 27.

- additional reporting by Mike Welsch