Keeneland makes effort to preserve turf course for Breeders' Cup

LEXINGTON, Ky. – With the 32nd Breeders’ Cup straight ahead, Keeneland racing officials say they are using a conservative approach in trying to preserve a turf course that is showing some wear from regular use.

Starting this weekend, the temporary rails were being placed well out onto the course to preserve the inner paths that have taken some beating since the fall meet began Oct. 2. As of Friday, fields were being limited to 10 starters because of how the course is constricted by those rail placements of 15 feet (or more) out from the inside hedge.

“We’re making a concerted effort to save the turf course for the big Breeders’ Cup races,” said Keeneland racing secretary Ben Huffman. “We can’t totally shut down turf racing because our horsemen demand it. But yes, we’re extremely conscious of having the course in the best shape possible for Oct. 30 and 31,” the two Breeders’ Cup dates.

Edgar Prado, who won the Sycamore Stakes on Thursday aboard Holiday Star, noted that the inside paths were “chopped up” and that he purposely kept his mount farther outside than he might have preferred otherwise. Other jockeys have agreed, and the large divots being kicked up as races are run are plainly visible to the layman.

Two turf races, including the Grade 3 Dowager, are carded for Sunday. In the condition book for the following four days (Wednesday through Saturday), there are a total of nine turf races. For the Thursday before Breeders’ Cup (Oct. 29), just one of the nine races is carded on turf.

“At other times, for turf races that have overfilled, we usually bring those back as extras on the overnight, but we’re not doing that the rest of the meet,” said Huffman.