During that meeting, we welcomed Scott Wykoff and Lizzie Madden into our ranks as regular NTWAB members. It is wonderful to have Scott and Lizzie as part of our organization.

Among the topics discussed at the meeting were the internships NTWAB is co-funding with The Jockey Club and participating media outlets. Many of those internships are now underway, and we thank the members and organizations that are hosting interns and helping foster the next generation of turf writers and broadcasters.

Minutes from our Derby-week meeting can be found at the end of this newsletter.

From conversations I have had with members, the Triple Crown season generally went well. However, next year will bring significant changes for media members at all three Triple Crown venues.

The Preakness Stakes returns to Pimlico after a one-year stay at Laurel Park. With redevelopment of the Pimlico still underway, the event will rely heavily on temporary hospitality structures and event infrastructure in 2027.

The Belmont Stakes, meanwhile, returns to a redesigned and smaller Belmont Park facility after a three-year run at Saratoga. Belmont's reopening this fall should allow the New York Racing Association time to refine operations.

Change is also coming for media members covering the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in 2027 and beyond. The Parlay, which has served as media workspace since the former upstairs press box was converted into premium hospitality space, is slated for redevelopment as part of Churchill's ongoing expansion of ticketed areas. As a result, media members will be relocated to temporary facilities beginning with Derby season in 2027. The location of the new media workspace has not yet been finalized.

I met with Darren Rogers and Mike Ziegler of Churchill Downs on Saturday to receive an update on the project and to emphasize the needs of NTWAB members and other working media. They listened to the NTWAB’s concerns, and the discussion was productive, though they are set in their plans to eliminate the current press box.

In summary, here are Churchill’s plans:

After the spring meet, The Parlay will be closed to media and redeveloped as part of Churchill Downs' expansion plans. Churchill's leadership indicated that the decision was final.

A media workspace for the September and fall meets is still being considered. One possibility under consideration is using a suite. Darren and Kevin Kerstein will also be relocated in the short term, upstairs near the Equibase chart-calling crew.

What has not yet been finalized is where Derby-time media operations will ultimately be located and whether any future arrangement will be temporary or long-term.

Among the concepts discussed were spaces near the temporary paddock and First Turn Club area, or near the Fanatics merchandise tent and television truck compound. A split-location model, with photographers housed separately from writers and broadcasters, also remains under consideration.

Longer-term possibilities floated included a backside-based media facility, an infield location such as behind the winner's circle and toteboard, or potentially space in a redesigned racing office building, should those operations eventually move to the backside.

Churchill officials indicated that media workstations will remain available in next year’s temporary facilities, although the total number could be reduced by approximately 50 seats. Darren and Mike said any reductions should not impact NTWAB members or core working media.

Media members working next year’s Derby can expect to be housed in a climate-controlled temporary structure equipped with televisions, internet access, hardwired connectivity, operational support, and, if needed, shuttle or golf-cart transportation.

I emphasized the importance of maintaining media members' ability to access the racetrack directly should a First Turn Club location be selected, as doing so would significantly reduce travel time, relative to walking through the facility, to the winner's circle for post-race interviews.

The current interview/press conference room will remain in operation despite the redevelopment of The Parlay. Churchill also envisions a behind-the-scenes workspace near the interview room featuring approximately 20 to 30 workstations. This area could ultimately support year-round media operations, and I stressed the importance of maintaining this as a dedicated media space.

Among the Derby concerns I raised were the effects of longer walking distances on the speed and efficiency of reporting, particularly for photographers and reporters working under tight deadlines.

Section 322 will cease to serve as dedicated media seating during Derby time, although a limited number of radio broadcasters might continue to work there. Darren suggested that media viewing areas in the facility would likely consist of standing-room locations in common areas, including around the customary winner's circle and the adjacent astroturf viewing area next to the paddock tunnel.

I noted that many media members increasingly feel displaced by revenue-generating development projects. I further stressed the importance of ongoing communication with the media and of maintaining sufficient functionality to enable meaningful, high-quality coverage of racing events. I was reassured that Mike said that many of the concerns we raised are already being advocated internally by Darren. I am pleased we have Darren in our corner. 

The reality is that these changes are coming whether we like them or not. Churchill Downs will continue to maximize the use of its available space, particularly where additional ticketed inventory can be created. The NTWAB will continue to advocate that our members remain equipped to do their jobs effectively as those changes occur.

I will continue to keep the membership informed as more details become available.

Kind regards,

Byron King
President
National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association
Juen 15, 2026

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NTWAB General Membership Meeting Minutes
Kentucky Derby Week 2026
Wednesday, April 29, 11 am ET

Call to Order – Byron King called the meeting to order at 11:01 am Eastern.

Roll Call – (in person) Byron King, Dick Downey, Jennifer Kelly, Nicole Russo, Gregory Hall, Katie Petrunyak, Sara Gordon, Loren Hebel-Osborne; (Zoom) Richard Gross, Frank Angst, Debbie Arrington, Nathan Campbell, Bob Kieckhefer, Jay Hovdey, Pascual Artiles, Vance Hanson, Jay Privman, Joe Perez, John Schienman, Paul Rolfes, Alicia Hughes, Julie June Stewart, Alex Orr, Jill Williams, Jessica Martini, Tom Law, Carlos Morales, Dick Jerardi. 

Treasurer’s Report – Dick Downey shared his Treasurer’s Report. NTWAB currently has $220,389.75 in its Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares and $15,585.73 in its Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund for a total of $235,975.48. The organization’s checking account at PNC Bank currently has $21,679.16 and its Charitable Foundation account currently has $6,275.25. NTWAB’s total assets are $207,059.34. 

Dick Downey also shared the NTWAB’s 2025 charitable donations, which totaled $10,000. 

2025 NTWAB Charitable Donations
Nick Luck  UK Cystic Fibrosis Trust  $1,597.05
Steve Anderson  CA Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation  $1,500
Perry Ouzts  Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund  $1,500
Joe Harper  Don Diego Foundation of Del Mar  $1,500
Steve Byk  The Horse Farm Workers’ Edu Assistance Fund  $2,000
Edward Gregson Foundation  (2023 Joe Palmer Award)  $1,000
Backside Learning Center  (2024 Joe Palmer Award)  $1,000

Update on 2026 NTWAB Awards Banquet – Byron King and Loren Hebel-Osborne shared update on the upcoming 2026 NTWAB Annual Awards Banquet, set for Wednesday, October 28 at Malone’s Prime on Tates Creek Road in Lexington, Kentucky. 

Perry Ouzts won the 2025 Mr. Fitz Award but was unable to travel out to Del Mar to be a part of that awards banquet. Byron plans to extend an invitation to him for this year’s awards banquet in Lexington.

Internship Update – Byron King shared an update about the upcoming internships. With matching support from The Jockey Club, the NTWAB is scheduled to co-fund eight internships this year at the following outlets: The Saratoga Special, BloodHorse, the New York Racing Association's television production with FOX featuring Saratoga Live, Maryland Horse Breeders and its affiliated publications, NBC, Horse Racing Happy Hour, Paulick Report, and Agentes 305.

Daily Racing Form was also to receive funding, but the outlet declined to offer an internship this year.

The NTWAB and The Jockey Club will collectively reimburse up to half of an outlet's internship payroll and related expenses, capped at $3,000.

Membership Review – Nathan Campbell shared the Membership Committee’s findings during their recent annual review of the NTWAB’s roster. He encourages members to reach out with any needs or changes to employment status. 

Update about 2025 Eclipse Award Voting – NTWAB’s voting percentage was higher than other organizations that are part of the process of selecting the Eclipse nominees and winners. Byron King discussed at least two unconventional votes from 2025 and his conversations with those voters about their thought processes. He encouraged members to keep the voting process logical and free of bias. 

Byron King also shared an update from a recent meeting with the Steering Committee regarding January’s Eclipse ceremony, including allotting more time for the Media Eclipses as well as thoughts on the broadcast and its approach to allowing winners to have more time to speak. 

New Member Applications – Byron King moved to discuss the slate of new applicants. Jennifer Kelly presented the two approved applicants. 

Applicants for NTWAB Membership – Spring 2026
Name  Sponsors  Board Decision  Membership Vote
Elizabeth Madden  Byron King & Frank Angst  Approved  Approved
Scott Wykoff  Louis Rabaut & Joe Clancy  Approved  Approved

Byron King addressed Elizabeth Madden’s qualifications as one of her colleagues at BloodHorse, including her eagerness to learn and grow as a journalist. 

Byron King motioned for a vote on Elizabeth Madden. Dick Downey seconds.

Membership approved Madden’s election to Regular Writer status. 

Membership discussed Scott Wykoff and his application. Jennifer Kelly moved to vote on his application as a Regular Broadcaster. Nicole Russo seconds. 

Membership approved Wykoff’s election to Regular Broadcaster status. 

Officer + Director Elections – All officer positions plus three board members are up for re-election every two years, per NTWAB bylaws. All officers plus the three Directors—Steve Byk, Scott Hazelton, Nicole Russo—have shared their desire to continue in their respective positions. No other members elected to put their names up for these positions. Byron consulted with Lynne Snierson about her interest in an elected position, but she deferred as all persons currently in place had expressed their interest in retaining their positions. 

Gregory Hall suggests a vote on the entire slate. Byron King moves to approve all officers plus directors for another term. Jennifer Kelly seconds. The membership approves the motion and all are re-elected for another two-year term. 

Additional Business – Alicia Hughes brought up changes to media access to certain parts of racetrack during morning workouts and requests these issues be brought up to Darren Rogers and Kevin Kerstein post-Derby. 

Nicole Russo echoed Byron King’s assurance that the NTWAB will address this with the CD communications team in the coming weeks. 

Alicia Hughes also suggested that the NTWAB create a primer for media members coming to the Kentucky Derby for the first time. 

Julie June Stewart advocated for photographers’ access and suggest NTWAB work with publications to ensure that they have access alongside their media peers. 

Lynne Snierson commended Byron King and the NTWAB for the letter about FanDuel’s decision to terminate their on-air horse racing programming. Byron King reiterates NTWAB’s commitment to supporting FanDuel colleagues. 

Dick Downey moves to adjourn meeting. Jennifer Kelly seconds. 

Meeting adjourned at 11:49 pm Eastern.