Keeneland opens day earlier than usual with a later post time
LEXINGTON, Ky. – They’ll start Keeneland a day earlier than usual this year, because why wouldn’t you? While purists are harrumphing, track management is only too happy to turn an available Thursday into a celebration of spring, with a later post time and live music and other fan-friendly events on tap.
For 60 years, Keeneland began its spring meet on a Friday, but that all changes Thursday when the first of eight races leaves the starting gate at 3 p.m. Eastern. A new stakes, the $100,000 Palisades for 3-year-old turf sprinters, anchors the program as race 7 (6:18 p.m.), with the final race set for 6:51 p.m.
The changes resulted partly from Easter (April 21) falling during the meet, and Keeneland opting to make up that dark day with the early opener. A chance of rain and a high of 69 are in the forecast for opening day.
Whatever the opening-day conditions, the meet will unfold afterward in familiar fashion. The Grade 3 Transylvania anchors a Friday card that coincides with the ever-popular college scholarship raffles and is followed by a huge Saturday program featuring the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes, which shapes up as a critical prep toward the May 4 Kentucky Derby.
As of Monday afternoon, racing officials were expecting a full gate of 14 3-year-olds for the Blue Grass, led by Vekoma, Win Win Win, and Hoffa’s Union. Entries for the entire Saturday card are to be drawn Wednesday, with a pair of Grade 1 races, the Ashland and Madison, foremost among the undercard events.
In all, nine stakes will be run during the opening four-day stretch, with a pair of 3-year-old filly races, the Appalachian and Beaumont, set for Sunday.
After opening week, nine more stakes will be run at the meet, which continues through April 26, with the busiest day being the second Saturday, April 13, when the Jenny Wiley and Lexington are among four stakes.
Purse payouts are projected to be nearly $12.3 million, which equates to a per-day average of $768,500, an all-time Keeneland record. Purses are being enhanced in part by the slots-like historical racing machines at the nearby Red Mile. Maiden-specials are up to $60,000 for 2-year-olds and $79,000 for older. Allowance races start at $81,000.
Predictably, many of the top stables in America will be active here over the next month, including strings sent here by Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher, Shug McGaughey, and more. The jockey colony will be led by Jose Ortiz, Tyler Gaffalione, Joel Rosario, Florent Geroux, and Julien Leparoux, with superstars such as Irad Ortiz Jr., John Velazquez, and Javier Castellano in for the occasional stakes engagement. A jockey autograph session is slated for opening day from 1:30 to 2:30 just outside the walking ring.
The Keeneland simulcast signal will sport a new look, with TVG’s Christina Blacker, Gabby Gaudet, and Scott Hazelton assuming key on-air roles.
After opening day, first post reverts to 1:05 for the remainder of the meet. Mondays and Tuesdays are dark.
