Keeneland closed its 2022 Spring Meet Friday with all-sources handle in excess of $219 million to establish an all-time meet wagering record for the track, and a third consecutive season of record handle. The Lexington oval offered record average daily purses of $1.147 million, attracting an average of 9.1 starters per race.
“This Spring Meet was unmatched in many measures, most of all the fact that everyone seemed to revel in the energy of having fans back in full force on race days,” said Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. “Keeneland is a special place because of the support we receive from the Central Kentucky community, our horsemen, handicappers, sponsors, fans and employees. This spring season sets the stage for a huge racing year that continues with the Fall Meet in October and the return of the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 4-5.”
All-sources wagering (not including whole-card simulcasting at Keeneland) for the Spring Meet totaled $219,284,979, eclipsing the previous record of $181,009,626 set during last year's 17-day Fall Meet. The total represents a 33.16% increase over last spring's record $164,680,229. Average daily all-sources handle was $14,618,999.
A number of individual handle records were also set during the Spring meet. Record single-day all-sources handle of $28,137,728 was set on GI Toyota Blue Grass Day, Saturday, Apr. 9, which featured 11 races including five graded stakes. Wagering on the 11-race card the following Saturday, Apr. 16, totaled $27,304,001 to be the second-highest single-day handle in Keeneland history. Record Pick 4 and Pick 5 wagering also was realized on Apr. 16. The Pick 4 handled a record $1,357,298, exceeding the previous mark of $1,065,002 set on Blue Grass Day 2018. The Pick 5 handled a record $1,539,098 to surpass the $1,485,090 established on 2021's Blue Grass card.
On-track wagering this spring totaled $16,190,832, up 75.52% from last spring's $9,224,273 when COVID-19 limited attendance for the meet. Average daily on-track wagering this spring was $1,079,389.
The Keeneland Turf Pick 3, a wager on the final three turf races each day that was inaugurated last fall, handled a total of $1,543,399, for an average of $128,617 per day.
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