Asher Honored as Louisville 'Hometown Hero'

Churchill Downs' late Vice President of Communications John Asher, who died unexpectedly in 2018 at age 62, will be honored by the city of Louisville on Monday with a "Hometown Hero" banner that will be displayed in front of Presentation Academy, a school he championed for decades. Asher joined Churchill Downs in 1997 and quickly became one of the most beloved and irreplaceable figures in the track's history. His deep passion for the Kentucky Derby and unwavering pride in the Louisville community made him synonymous with Churchill Downs itself. Before his tenure at the track, he was an award-winning radio journalist with NewsRadio 840 WHAS. Louisville's Hometown Heroes program began in 2002 with a mural installation of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Since then, several prominent Louisvillians have been honored, including jockey Pat Day, musician Jack Harlow, journalist Diane Sawyer and actress Jennifer Lawrence. Monday's ceremony will take place at Presentation Academy (861 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40203) and begin at 1 p.m. ET