FRANKFORT — Gov. Steve Beshear’s spokesman will be leaving the administration to take the top communications job with Keeneland, the administration announced on Wednesday.

Jay Blanton is the second member of Beshear’s administration to leave state government to take a position with the Lexington race track. Last month, Vince Gabbert, Beshear’s deputy chief of staff, took a senior-level position at Keeneland.

Katie Allison Dailinger, currently serving as Beshear’s policy director, will also become the director of communications, the governor’s office said.

Kerri Richardson, who coordinates communication for Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, Beshear’s running mate for the 2011 election, will become deputy communications director and serve as a spokeswoman, according to a news release.

Blanton has been communications director for Beshear since August 2008.