Despite Record Wagering On Blue Grass Day, Keeneland Spring Meet Daily Average Handle Dips 8.6 Percent

Spring Meet Racing Highlights

Keeneland offered a season-record $8.6 million for 19 stakes this Spring, headlined by the 100th running of the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1). Other Grade 1 stakes held during the meet were the Central Bank Ashland, the Resolute Racing Madison, the Maker’s Mark Mile and the Jenny Wiley – each worth $600,000.

The Giant’s Causeway was upgraded this Spring to a Grade 3 event after being a listed stakes since 2006 and the purse was increased to $300,000.

Keeneland also welcomed new sponsors for three Spring Meet stakes. John Stewart’s Resolute Racing sponsored the Madison on opening Saturday, and his MiddleGround Capital, of which Stewart is founder and managing partner, sponsored the Beaumont (G2) on April 7. VisitLEX, the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau, became sponsor of the Elkhorn (G2), held April 20.

Among the memorable moments this Spring:

• Sierra Leone posted a 1½-length victory in the Toyota Blue Grass on April 6 to secure a spot in the field for the 150th running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve to be run at Churchill Downs on May 4.

• Leslie’s Rose upset champion Just F Y I in the opening-day Central Bank Ashland to establish herself as a leading contender for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill on May 3.
• Master of The Seas (IRE), multimillionaire winner of the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF last November at Santa Anita, made a successful return to the races by winning the Maker’s Mark Mile on April 12.

• Joel Rosario, among Keeneland’s most successful jockeys, was named a member of the class of 2024 to be inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame.

• Axel Concepcion, winner of the 2023 Eclipse Award as outstanding apprentice jockey, recorded his first Keeneland stakes win and first graded stakes win of his career aboard Chop Chop in the closing-day Bewitch (G3) Presented by Keeneland Sales.

• Godolphin’s homebred Encino led all the way to win the Stonestreet Lexington (G3) on April 13. The victory was Godolphin’s 16th graded stakes win at Keeneland and earned for them the Milestone Pitcher as part of the track’s signature Milestone Trophy Program.

“This was a fun race meet. Having the nation’s best horses, trainers and jockeys on the grounds made every day highly competitive and produced many exciting race finishes,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “The loyalty of our fans and horsemen and the support of our corporate and horse industry partners play a key role in Keeneland’s continued success.”

Keeneland Honors its Philanthropic Mission

Keeneland partnered with corporate and Thoroughbred industry entities this Spring to host special events with philanthropic goals that benefit Central Kentucky community organizations.

• Keeneland and Maker’s Mark Kentucky Bourbon announced a new chapter in their longstanding partnership with the launch of “Greats of the Gate,” a 10-year commemorative bottle series celebrating Thoroughbred racing’s most iconic horses – featuring a different horse each year. The first bottles, which feature Man o’ War, will arrive at select Kentucky retailers in October. Proceeds from this year’s bottle sales will benefit Art Center of the Bluegrass, Blue Grass Farms Charities and Kentucky Harvest.

• Members of the Keeneland jockey colony teamed with retired riders for an autograph session on April 6 that raised $6,072 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). 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 Toyota Blue Grass, and Keeneland made a $10,000 donation to the Lexington Fisher House, which serves veterans’ families by providing a safe, supportive and loving home at no cost while their loved one is receiving treatment at the Lexington VA Health Care System.
• A record 5,000 full-time students representing 85 colleges and universities attended the popular College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane’s End, held April 19. Students on-site were eligible to win prizes, one of ten $2,000 scholarships provided 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 horsemanship training with a residential recovery program to help men overcome addiction and prosper.

• Keeneland hosted a record 4,000 members of the military (active duty and veterans), first responders, healthcare workers and their families for Heroes Day on Sunday, April 14. Heroes and their families received free General Admission, reserved Grandstand seating, complimentary lunch from Marriott Griffin Gate and access to special activities throughout the afternoon, highlighted by a flag rollout on the main track. Keeneland presented a check for $3,500 to Surgery on Sunday as part of the day’s festivities.

• Keeneland and Country Boy Brewing of Lexington again teamed to produce Keeneland Lager. Country Boy Brewing, Kentucky Eagle and other distributor partners donated $1 per case to Blue Grass Farms Charities to support its Back-to-School Backpack Program, which provides school supplies for nearly 1,000 children whose parents work in Keeneland’s stable area and on Central Kentucky farms.