Churchill Downs ending some Guild payments

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Churchill Downs Inc. plans to stop paying the trade association representing jockeys to fund riders' off-track needs, such as benefits or health insurance coverage that's not racing related.

Churchill spokeswoman Julie Koenig Loignon told The Courier-Journal that the company's four tracks will continue to pay for an insurance policy that covers jockeys for up to $1 million in medical expenses for on-track injuries.

For off-track concerns, Loignon said the guild needs to work with other racing industry members on compensation, benefits and insurance coverage not related to on-track events.

The current agreement with The Jockeys' Guild expires at the end of the year and provides per-starter and per-race-day fees to the guild.

Terry Meyocks, the guild's national manager, wouldn't discuss specifics of the guild's potential responses.

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Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com