Maker, Lanerie, Hayses honored with KTM awards

Two-time defending winner Mike Maker has been joined by first-timers Corey Lanerie

and the Louisville-based family of Billy, Donna and Justin Hays as recipients of

the Kentucky Thoroughbred Media Awards (KTM) that honor the trainer, jockey and

owner who compiled the highest victory totals at Kentucky racetracks during the

2010 calendar year.

The KTM awards, which are being presented for the 21st consecutive year,

recognize the Kentucky-based owner, jockey and trainer with the most wins in the

calendar year at the Commonwealth's five Thoroughbred tracks. The awards will be

presented to the 2010 winners in a winner's circle ceremony following the 1ST

race on the Stephen Foster Day program Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Hays, a prominent Louisville, Kentucky, auto-dealer, and his family won 45

races last year to end a 10-year streak of KTM Owner of the Year awards earned

by Ken and Sarah Ramsey. The Hayses edged the Ramseys by two victories for the

honor.

"I had no idea we were even close," said Billy Hays, who in 2005 beat out the

perennial champion Ramseys for the "leading owner" crown in the Churchill Downs

spring meet.

For years Hays campaigned horses in his name, but last year changed his

stable ownership to include his wife, Donna, and Justin, their 24-year-old son.

The Hayses earned 2010 owner titles at Turfway Park's winter-spring and fall

meets, as well as multiple crowns in Ohio. The 259 victories by Hays-owned

horses in 2010 ranked second nationally, trailing only Midwest Thoroughbreds

Inc. which led the country at 310.

Lanerie captured his first KTM Jockey of the Year honor by earning 111

victories at Kentucky tracks -- 17 more than runner-up Robby Albarado. Other

2010 highlights for Lanerie included the riding title at Ellis Park and a

runner-up finish to Calvin Borel in the Churchill Downs spring meet. His biggest

victory was Keeneland's Raven Run S. (G2) aboard the Todd Pletcher-trained

Hilda's Passion (Canadian Frontier).

Maker, whose 2010 highlight was a win by Stately Victor (Ghostzapper) in the

Blue Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland, won his third straight KTM Trainer of the Year

award with 81 victories, easily outdistancing the 48 wins by Dale Romans. He

captured the Ellis Park and Turfway Park holiday meet training titles, and tied

for the Kentucky Downs crown.