Palmisano 'a huge advocate' for Louisville equine program

During his time in the University of Louisville’s Equine Industry Program, Gary Palmisano remembers a steady stream of guest speakers and high-profile members of the industry stopping on campus.

“They would leave business cards and were always willing to answer an email from a student or a job inquiry,” Palmisano said.

Years later, Churchill Downs’ special assistant to the track president — “it’s a racing catch-all,” he says of his role at the track — has transformed into a similar sort resource for his alma mater located just blocks away from U of L.

“I think it takes a very particular type of person to want to work in horse racing,” Palmisano said. “You might have to give up Thanksgiving Day and Saturdays with their families. So when I see motivated students who want to learn about racing, I try to give them every opportunity to succeed.”

Palmisano has a current Equine Industry Program student interning in Churchill Downs’ VIP room for horseplayers. He hired another within the track’s program to educate race-goers on wagering.

In all, Palmisano estimates he has placed four or five U of L students in internships and other roles — because that’s how he got started during the 2007-2008 school year in Churchill Downs’ marketing department.

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“The ability to have that internship while in school and get on the ground training because some of the relationships the staff members at U of L had with people (at Churchill Downs) gave me a huge leg up,” Palmisano said. "I'm a huge advocate for the program.

“Being based in Louisville — near Churchill Downs and Keeneland and in Kentucky — is certainly advantageous for the program. It helps as a U of L student to come and take in the best racing in the country while you’re here.”

A Louisiana native, Palmisano grew up the son of a trainer knowing he’d like to work within the industry. But early mornings and backside life weren’t for him.

Palmisano moved to Kentucky to attend the Equine Industry Program, a four-year track that which offers a business degree and courses covering a wide range of topics for future racing professionals.

“That opened up a lot of doors for me to go in different directions,” he said.

After graduation, Palmisano came on full time with Churchill Downs, which sent him back to Louisiana and his home track, Fair Grounds. A management rotation program saw him spend time in departments ranging from food and beverage to the racing office.

In 2012, he returned to Louisville and has continued to climb within the company. Another of his roles at the track is as liaison for the low-cost, low-risk Churchill Downs Racing Club, which started in 2016 with the multiple stakes winner Warrior’s Club.

Palmisano attended U of L when the late Tim Capps served as director. 

“Not only the faculty and staff, but the amount of industry support for it that you can build and develop was pretty helpful,” he said.

Palmisano has liked what he’s seen from current director Sean Beirne’s leadership.

“I’ve been very impressed with how they’ve kind of gotten their hands dirty,” he said, “and started to really focus on building that program.”

An intense, four-year track, the Equine Industry Program gives students the professional skills they need to succeed in the horse industry covering equine economics, marketing and law, among other topics. Small class sizes are emphasized along with individualized advising.