Churchill Downs Inc. today named its spokesperson as president of the whole darn place.

That’s quite a rise up the corporate ladder for Kevin Flanery, who joined the corporation in 2005 and will now lead the local track.

We’re not going to question Flanery’s experience. He’s been involved in state government in both Transportation and Finance (as Paul Patton’s finanace secretary). Before 2005, he was working for Hagan Properties, a commercial real estate firm. It’s also pretty cool to see a local (Flanery attended DeSales High and Bellarmine) in the top spot at the local track.

At Churchill, he’s been out front in leading the track’s failed efforts to approve slots legislation. Importantly, he led the effort to get similar legislation passed in Miami at Churchill’s Calder Race Course.

Flanery’s old job, head of national public affairs and communications, is now open.

The corporation has been seeking a new president since early this year, when Steve Sexton moved over to another position in the organization.

By naming someone so involved in the slots effort as president, it’s obvious that Churchill has no higher priority than getting the gambling measure passed.