The day after the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby – a time when most visitors to our Commonwealth are waking up to read newspapers left at their hotel room door – you’d expect A Kentucky Newspaper to feature the winner of the race on the front page. And very prominently. Right? Right.

Well, it was on the front page (technically a thick special section that’s traditionally featured the day after Derby):

But the front page section was buried waaaay down in the paper and this cover of the business section was front and center with this story:

While their allegations may be true, it’s a great way to taint a very prominent Kentucky brand (and every other high-end bourbon) with visitors. Especially with a story like that – above the fold – that includes next to no specifics until you turn the page. At a time when Kentucky’s bourbon industry is working hard to get a hold on national and international markets, no less, to help our miserable economy.

Couldn’t that story have waited a few days? Sure, Maker’s Mark probably needs to get its shiz together when it comes to treating women equally but jesus h.

Note: Downs wrote a similarly damaging story during the JBS Swift-Butchertown lawsuit mess (here & here) where she wrongly claimed/insinuated the wife of an attorney had something to do with a story – which ended up putting the wife’s job in jeopardy. All because a few prominent union members sold her a bill of goods. So take her angle with a grain of salt.