Keeneland fall meet sets track record for all-sources wagering

LEXINGTON, Ky. – All-sources wagering at the 17-day Keeneland fall meet that ended Saturday was nearly $209 million, shattering the track record set last fall.

Handle at the 2022 meet was $208,907,655, up 15.4 percent over last fall, when the record of $181 million was set during a 17-day meet. Ontrack handle was more than $15.3 million, up slightly from last fall. Those figures do not include ontrack simulcasting.

Per-day purse payouts were a record $1,168,120, an increase of 33 percent over the 2021 fall meet. The weather could not have better, as not a single turf race had to be moved to the main track.

On the racetrack, Luis Saez was the leading jockey for the second time with 21 winners, one more than Tyler Gaffalione, whose six stakes wins was one shy of the track mark held by Pat Day.

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Brad Cox earned the trainer title by winning two races on closing day, giving him a total of 11, one more than Wesley Ward and Todd Pletcher, marking the fourth time Cox has won or tied for the top spot at Keeneland. Gary and Mary West, with four wins, were the leading owners for the first time.

Field size averaged 9.2 horses per race, and favorites won at a 38-percent clip (61 of 161).

Keeneland will host the Breeders’ Cup this coming Friday and Saturday for the third time in track history.

“The race meet was special in every way: idyllic weather, terrific racing and special events,” Keeneland president Shannon Arvin said in a Saturday-night release. “We thank everyone involved in making it a success and look forward to the fun continuing next weekend.”

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