Keeneland fall meet closes with record handle, purses

Buoyed by unseasonably dry, warm, and sunny fall conditions, the Keeneland fall meet in Lexington, Ky., hit record highs for total handle, total purses, and other critical financial metrics.

Total handle during the 17-day meet was $210.4 million, according to an analysis conducted by Daily Racing Form, a 0.6 percent increase over the record set in 2022. Both meets had 161 total races, so average wagering per race also was up 0.6 percent compared to 2022 and a record, at $1.31 million.

The wagering figures were up 4.3 percent compared to the fall meet last year, when total handle was $201.7 million and average wagering per race was $1.25 million.

Handle figures for the meet were boosted by two record pick five pools, both occurring on Wednesdays, that followed carryovers after the bets were not hit on the preceding Sunday. The pool for the Oct. 9 early pick five set a record at $2.43 million, and that record was broken Oct. 23 when the pick five pool reached $2.80 million, which was a record for any Wednesday pick five pool at any U.S. track.

Total purses jumped 6.8 percent, as did average purse, at $139,056. Purses at Keeneland, as at all Kentucky tracks, are subsidized by revenues from casinos owned by tracks in state.

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October in Central Kentucky this year had very little rainfall, and conditions were generally sunny and mild. Average field size jumped from 9.16 horses per race during last year’s fall meet to 9.59 horses per race this year.

Wagering on the opening Saturday of the fall meet, when the track ran five graded stakes, was $22,356,693, a record for any card held during the fall.

Ontrack wagering was $16.6 million, up 2.0 percent compared to last year, according to Keeneland.

“The class and quality of the horses and riders competing here are truly special, and we appreciate the tremendous support from our owners and trainers who make the choice to race with us,” Shannon Arvin, the track’s chief executive officer, said in a press release. “Blue skies and sunshine on each and every race day added to the atmosphere, showcasing all that is special about the Bluegrass.”

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