KeenelandThe spring meet ended April 26 with betting from all sources exceeding $218 million, the third-highest handle in track history.
Average daily earnings of $1.16 million attract thoroughbred racing’s top stables and jockeys, providing 16 days of quality racing along with special and community events that bring Family fun with a charitable mission.
“A huge thank you to our horsemen and sponsors, the crowds who come to the track every day, and those who follow,” said Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. Follow and bet on Keeneland across the country. “We are especially appreciative of our fans’ cooperation as we make the necessary adjustments to host racing during construction of our new paddock building. We are proud that the meet This spring season continues to deliver the special race day experiences and traditions that people know and love about Keeneland.”
Betting from all sources (excluding simulcast of the full card at Keeneland) for the spring tournament, held April 5-26, totaled $218,741,501, down 2 .5% over last spring’s record of $224,348,745 over 15 days of racing.
Total active betting is $15,831,087 compared to $15,844,092 in spring 2023.
Despite the decline in overall and average daily betting, the track still saw several individual handling records. On Toyota’s Green Grass Day, April 6, all sources handled the 11-race card with five graded stakes totaling $29,261,346, surpassing the previous single-day betting record of 28,137 .728 USD set in 2022.
The $2,576,663 single-race win/place/match bet on the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) shattered the 2019 record of $2,068,406. All Stakes Pick 5 ended with Blue Grass handling $1,696,981, breaking the 2022 record of $1,539,098.
Keeneland Turf Pick 3, a daily bet on the final three turf races, set a record handle of $280,308 on April 13, topping the $248,094 mark last fall. The bet paid a record $56,593 on April 18.
The Daily Double bet set the record handle twice in the spring tournament: $329,433 on opening day April 5 and $470,988 on April 13 to surpass the previous record of $286,255 set for April 23, 2022. This spring, Keeneland reduced the stakes on the Daily Double by 22%. to 15%.
Spring meet racing highlights
Keeneland posted a season-record $8.6 million purse for 19 stakes this spring, highlighted by the 100th running of the $995,782 Blue Grass Stakes. Other tier 1 shares held during the meeting were Ashland Shares (G1), Madison Shares (G1), Maker Mark Mile Shares (G1T) and Jenny Wiley Shares (G1T).
Memorable moments this spring:
- Sierra Leone posted a 1 1/2-length victory in the Blue Grass on April 6 to secure a prominent spot in the field for the 150th running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) held at Churchill Downs May 4.
- Leslie’s Rose 2 year old sad champion Just letting you know on opening day Ashland to establish himself as a top contender for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill May 3.
- Master of the sea millionaire won the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) in November at Santa Anita Parkmade a successful return to racing by winning the Maker’s Mark Mile on 12 April.
- Joel Rosario, one of Keeneland’s most successful drivers, has been named a member of the 2024 class for induction into the Racing Hall of Fame.
- Axel Concepcion, winner of the 2023 Eclipse Award as outstanding apprentice jockey, recorded his maiden win at Keeneland and first level victory of his career aboard Hurry up in Bewitch Staking closing date (G3T).
- Purebred Godolphin encino led all the way to win the Lexington Stakes (G3) on April 13. The victory was Godolphin’s 16th grade win at Keeneland and earned them the Milestone Pitcher as part of the signature Milestone Trophy Program of the racetrack.
“This was an exciting race,” said Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell. Having the nation’s best horses, trainers and jockeys on the field makes every day highly competitive and produces many exciting race finishes.” “The loyalty of our fans and riders as well as the support of our corporate and horse industry partners plays a critical role in Keeneland’s continued success.”
Meet Spring Leadership
Given the quality of horses and riding talent, the races for the top jockey, trainer and owner positions were decided on the final day of the meeting.
Irad Ortiz Jr. earned three wins on the closing day to increase his meet record to 20 wins and capture his first Keeneland title. Ortiz improved his win total with a four-win day on April 21 and a three-win day on April 5. His stakes winning meet came aboard Leslie’s Rose in Ashland, Arzak in Shakertown Shares (G2T) and Roses for Debra in Giants Causeway Shares (G3T).
Tyler Gaffalione and Jose Ortiz are tied for second with 15 wins each.
Wesley Ward won the first two races on the closing day to make it 12 wins for his seventh straight and eighth spring meeting leading trainer’s title. Ward has won a total of 10 Keeneland titles. His spring meeting was highlighted by a win in the Palisades Stakes with fan .
Trainers Chad Brown and Brad Cox are tied for second place with eight wins each.
Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin and Fahad bin Khalid’s Juddmonte each had five wins to claim their third spring meeting title. Godolphin captured his fifth Keeneland title overall while also earning the aforementioned Milestone Pitcher for achieving 16 graded stakes wins at Keeneland. Three of Godolphin’s wins were at stakes: Maker’s Mark Mile with Master of The Seas, Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) with Silver button and Lexington with Encino.
Charity mission
Keeneland partnered with businesses and thoroughbred industry organizations this spring to host special events with charitable causes to benefit Central Kentucky community organizations.
- Keeneland and Maker’s Mark Kentucky Bourbon announced a new chapter in their long-standing partnership with the launch of “Greats of the Gate,” a 10th anniversary bottle series honoring iconic horses thoroughbred racing—with a different horse each year. The first bottles featuring Man o’ War will arrive at select retailers in Kentucky in October. Proceeds from this year’s bottle sales will benefit the Bluegrass Arts Center, Page Charities Blue Grass Farm and Kentucky Harvest.
- Members of the Keeneland racing colony teamed up with retired jockeys to host an autograph session on April 6 and raised $6,072 for the Permanent Disability Horse Racing Fund. On April 21, Keeneland partnered with other thoroughbred industry organizations and FanDuel TV to raise a record $430,000 during the sixth annual PDJF Telethon.
- Toyota, sponsor of the Blue Grass Stakes, and Keeneland donated $10,000 to Lexington Fisher House, which serves veteran families by providing a safe, supportive and loving home at no cost while Their loved one is being treated at the Lexington VA Healthcare System.
- A record 5,000 full-time students representing 85 colleges and universities attended the popular College Scholarship Day hosted by Lane’s End, held on April 19. On-site students are eligible to win, one of 10 $2,000 scholarships offered by Keeneland and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association or one of two $10,000 scholarships offered by Lane’s End Farm.
- Keeneland contributed $25,000 to Stable Recovery, a program that combines horseback riding training with a home recovery program to help men overcome addiction and prosper.
- Keeneland hosted a record 4,000 military members (active and veterans), first responders, medical personnel and their families for Heroes Day on April 14. Heroes and families They received free general admission, reserved bleacher seating, a free lunch from the Marriott Griffin Gate, and special activities throughout the afternoon, highlighted by a flag display on the main street. Keeneland presented a check for $3,500 to Surgery on Sunday as part of the day’s festivities.
- Keeneland and Lexington’s Country Boy Brewing are teaming up again to produce Keeneland Lager. Country Boy Brewing, Kentucky Eagle and other distribution partners donated $1 per case to Blue Grass Farms Charities to support the Back-to-School Backpack Program, which provides school supplies to nearly 1,000 children with parents work in the stable areas of Keeneland and Central Kentucky. farm.
Meet Keeneland spring at a glance
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
