Funeral for Kruytbosch at Churchill on Monday

The funeral service for popular track announcer Luke Kruytbosch, the "Voice

of the Kentucky Derby" since 1999, will be held in Churchill Downs' paddock

garden on Monday at 1 p.m. (EDT).

Kruytbosch passed away in his sleep in Evansville, Indiana, after calling the

races Sunday at Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky. The cause of death was likely

coronary-related, according to the Vanderburgh County Coroner's Office. He was

47.

Kruytbosch's remains were cremated Thursday and his ashes will be spread at

Churchill Downs, which, according to friends, was Kruytbosch's wish. Monday's

service will be open to the public, and guests should enter the facility through

Gate 17 adjacent to the paddock. (Note: The service may be moved indoors to the

Triple Crown Room on the fifth floor of the Jockey Club Suites if there is

inclement weather).

Kruytbosch was only the fifth track announcer in the 134-year history of

Churchill Downs. He joined the legendary racetrack at the start of the 1999

Spring Meet and his first call of the Kentucky Derby came in the 125th renewal

won by Charismatic. He called 10 consecutive runnings of America's greatest

race, including this year's victory by Big Brown (Boundary).

In addition to Churchill Downs and Ellis Park, Kruytbosch was the announcer

for Turf Paradise in Phoenix and Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Kentucky.

Born May 27, 1961 in Moscow, Idaho, Kruytbosch is survived by his father

Carlos, sister Carla and brother-in-law Roger Kirkpatrick.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends have requested that a donation be made

in Kruytbosch's honor to either the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy (9013 Lyneve

Drive, Louisville, KY 40272) or Race Track Chaplaincy of America (P.O. Box

91640, Los Angeles, CA 90009).