Keeneland concluded its 2022 Fall Meet on Saturday with a season record all-sources handle of $208.9 million, which was boosted by record purses, full race fields, and championship-caliber competition provided by the nation's best horses and riders.
The 17-day season was enhanced by picture-perfect fall weather and a special events schedule that offered family fun and philanthropy, all conducted in a unique setting as the track prepares to host the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 4-5.
Held Oct. 7-29, the Fall Meet marks the fourth consecutive season of record handle at the track to reflect the continuing elevation of Keeneland's racing program.
“This Fall Meet embodied everything our founders envisioned for Keeneland – a place where families and friends could gather and enjoy great horse racing – all heightened by anticipation for the Breeders' Cup,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We thank everyone involved in making the Fall Meet a success and look forward to the fun continuing as we host the World Championships next weekend.”
All-sources wagering (not including whole-card simulcasting at Keeneland) this fall totaled $208,907,655, up 15.41 percent over last year's Fall Meet record of $181,009,626.
Wagering was boosted when on Fall Stars Saturday, Oct. 8, Keeneland set records for Fall Meet single-day all-sources and Pick 5 wagering, besting previous records set on Fall Stars Saturday in 2021. All-sources handle on Fall Stars Saturday, which featured five graded stakes on the 11-race card, was $21,695,896, surpassing the $20,926,640 on Oct. 9, 2021. Wagering on the All-Stakes Pick 5 totaled $1,431,736 to exceed last year's $1,255,080.
Additionally, a Keeneland record payoff of $72,863.72 for a 10-cent superfecta wager occurred in the seventh race on Oct. 20. The ticket, which swept the entire pool, was placed through NYRA Bets and cost only $18. Keeneland's previous record high superfecta payoff for a dime was $27,228.80 established in the seventh race on Oct. 18, 2014.
On-track wagering for the Fall Meet totaled $15,351,232, up slightly from last year's $15,162,221.
Average daily purses at Keeneland climbed to a record $1,168,120, up 32.66 percent from $880,511 per day during the 2021 Fall Meet. Average starters per race was 9.2.
Keeneland awarded a record $8.9 million for 22 stakes this fall. The season opened with the track's signature Fall Stars Weekend, which featured 11 stakes. Nine stakes were “Win and You're In” events part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series with total purses of $5.45 million.
“Fans were treated to thrilling performances from start to finish this fall, and our sincere thanks go to the owners, trainers and jockeys who always bring their very best to Keeneland,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “We are proud of our elevated racing program, which when coupled with the excitement surrounding Breeders' Cup at Keeneland, produced a Fall Meet unmatched in competition and quality.”
Fall Meet Leaders
The races for Fall Meet leading honors, which featured the country's top owners, trainers and jockeys proved as exciting as those contests among the four-legged stars, and all were decided on the final day of racing.
Gary and Mary West won their first Keeneland leading owner title, coming from behind to capture two races on closing day, led by the Hagyard Fayette (G2) with West Will Power, for a total of four meet wins.
West Will Power's victory also wrapped up leading training honors for Brad Cox, who with 11 wins earned his third consecutive fall training title and fourth Keeneland title overall. In addition to the Hagyard Fayette, Cox sent out Caravel to win the Franklin (G3) and Keyof Life to win the Myrtlewood.
Todd Pletcher and Wesley Ward finished in a tie for second with 10 wins each.
The jockeys' title race turned into a seesaw battle between Tyler Gaffalione and Luis Saez.
Winner of three races on closing day, Saez won the final race of the meet to edge Gaffalione 21-20 and clinch his second Keeneland riding title.
Saez also won the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine with Delight. Gaffalione tallied six stakes wins, one shy of Pat Day's single-season record of seven stakes wins.
Though Saturday marks the conclusion of Keeneland's Fall Meet, it is the beginning of an exciting Breeders' Cup Week at the historic race track.
From Sunday through Thursday, fans are invited to visit the track to watch Breeders' Cup horses during morning training at Breakfast at the Breeders' Cup. Keeneland will host the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Friday-Saturday.
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