LEXINGTON, Ky. – On March 17, two and a half weeks prior to the opening of Keeneland’s spring meet, workers were still scrambling to put the finishing touches on the track’s most ambitious renovation in its 90-year history. But even without the work being fully complete, it’s clear Keeneland has hit it out of the park. The nearly $100 million renovation is adding five new hospitality areas in a three-story building running along the track’s west-facing entrance and overlooking its grassy paddock and walking ring. The price points are not cheap – tickets to the areas can hit $200 each on the spring meet’s biggest day, April 4, when the Blue Grass Stakes will be run – but they might still be worth every penny. :: Access the most trusted data and information in horse racing! DRF Past Performances and Picks are available now. With architecture designed by Populous and interiors by Matt Carter, a local design firm, the five new areas perfectly match Keeneland’s existing vibe but still manage to thrill the eye. The exterior is the famed two-over-two stonework of Keeneland’s existing grandstand and clubhouse. The five new interiors each have their own styles, from old Southern Charm to the Jazz Age, but all of them maintain a retro, organic feel that not only fits Keeneland’s character but enhances it. Keeneland is debuting the areas seven months prior to the track hosting the Breeders’ Cup two-day event on Oct. 30-31. Prices for the areas will increase roughly five-fold compared to weekend pricing during the Spring and Fall meets, with each ticket granting admission for both days of the event. With 10 days left to the opening of the spring meet, all of the roughly 1,000 new tickets in the areas were sold out with the exception of several weekdays for the 1936 Room, a plush lounge on the first level. In addition, ticketing for comparable areas in the old grandstand and clubhouse have not been affected by the availability of the new areas, Keeneland officials said. “We saw our existing spaces sell out just as they normally do, which really speaks to the strength of demand,” said Keeneland representatives, in a prepared response to questions. “That same demand is carrying over to the new building as well, which is also performing strongly.” Here’s a rundown on the new areas: ◗ 1936 Room ($150 Wednesday-Thursday; $175 Friday-Sunday): An all-inclusive lounge on the first level filled with couches, overstuffed chairs, standing cocktail tables, and two well-stocked bars. The big draw: a path through the middle of the room will be used by jockeys both pre-race and post-race. The new jockeys’ quarters are located below the room. “The fans we have that are big horse racing fans, they are really going to like this. This is a special, one-of-a-kind experience,” said Gabby Gaudet, Keeneland’s director of communications. ◗ Sycamore Room ($100, $125): Another first-level all-inclusive lounge that also contains private rooms, with a la carte dining. The aquamarine, contoured bar is a standout. Patrons in both the Sycamore Room and the 1936 Room also have access to private outdoor areas adjacent to the paddock and walking rings. ◗ Ivy Room: (No individual tickets sold) A second-level dining room reserved for large groups. Like several dining areas in the existing clubhouse, the Ivy Room will offer a buffet. ◗ Dogwood Room ($125, $150): Another second-level buffet dining area with capacity for 200 patrons. In the Dogwood, patrons will sit on chairs with “faded tomato”-colored cushions. ◗ Rooftop Dining/Rooftop Bar ($100, $125): The Rooftop Dining Room offers an a la carte menu for 116 patrons in a pleasant, intimate setting, but the real value of these tickets is access to the Rooftop Bar. The open-air bar sits just over the expanded entrance to the track, with views of the paddock, walking ring, and Keeneland’s iconic Sycamore tree, and it’s where any discerning horse racing fan would want to be on a pleasant spring or fall day. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.