Keeneland’s 2024 Spring Meet concluded Friday with all-sources wagering exceeding $218 million, the third-highest handle in the Lexington, Ky., track's history. Average daily purse money of $1.16 million attracted Thoroughbred racing’s top stables and jockeys, delivering 16 days of quality racing complemented by community and special events that offered family fun with a philanthropic mission.
“A big thanks to our horsemen and sponsors, the crowds who turned out daily on track and those who watched and wagered on Keeneland across the country,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We especially appreciate the cooperation of fans as we navigated the adjustments necessary to hold a race meet during construction of our new Paddock Building. We are proud this Spring Meet continued to offer the exceptional race-day experiences and traditions people know and love about Keeneland.”
All-sources wagering (not including whole card simulcasting at Keeneland) for the Spring Meet, held April 5-26, totaled $218,741,501, a decrease of 2.5 percent from last spring’s record $224,348,745 for 15 days of racing.
On-track wagering totaled $15,831,087 compared with $15,844,092 in Spring 2023.
Wagering was boosted by a number of individual handle records. On Toyota Blue Grass Day, April 6, all-sources handle for the 11-race card that featured five graded stakes totaled $29,261,346, eclipsing the previous single-day wagering record of $28,137,728 set in 2022. Single-race win/place/show wagering of $2,576,663 on the Toyota Blue Grass shattered the 2019 record of $2,068,406. The All Stakes Pick 5 ending with the Toyota Blue Grass handled $1,696,981, breaking the 2022 record of $1,539,098.
The Keeneland Turf Pick 3, a wager on the final three turf races daily, set a handle record of $280,308 on April 13 to best last Fall’s mark of $248,094. The wager paid a record $56,593 on April 18.
The Daily Double wager established handle records twice during the Spring Meet: $329,433 on opening April 5 and $470,988 on April 13 to surpass the previous record of $286,255 set April 23, 2022. This Spring, Keeneland reduced the takeout on the Daily Double from 22 percent to 15 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:
“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.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!