All-sources wagering (not including whole-card simulcasting at Keeneland) for the Spring Meet totaled $224,348,745, surpassing the previous record of $219,284,979 set during last year's 15-day Spring Meet.

The Spring Meet marks the fifth consecutive season of record wagering at Keeneland, which was boosted by an all-time record Pick 6 handle of $4,788,759 Apr. 21. On-track wagering for the Spring Meet totaled $15,844,092 versus last year's $16,190,832.

“A huge thanks to our fans, the community and our horsemen who turned out in full force this spring to support Keeneland racing,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said.

Spring Meet Leaders
Wesley Ward notched 12 wins to earn his sixth consecutive Spring Meet training title and ninth total. Boosted by two multiple-win race days, Tyler Gaffalione recorded 21 victories to secure his second consecutive Spring Meet riding title and fifth overall. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Godolphin celebrated its third leading owner title at Keeneland with six meet wins.

The post Keeneland Closes Out Record Spring appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The post Turf King Steps Forward In Keeneland Finale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Dam GSP American Story (Ghostzapper) is herself a sibling to G1 Golden Shaheen victor Reynaldothewizard (Speightstown) and GI Apple Blossom scorer Seventh Street (Street Cry {Ire}), who went on to produce GSW Lake Avenue (Tapit). This Steve Asmussen firster fired a bullet work at the Fair Grounds on Mar. 26 (5f, :59.40, 1/27).

Drawn to the inside, MALIBU SPRINGS (Quality Road), for Todd Pletcher, is out of multiple stakes winning dam Marquee Miss (Cowboy Cal), who herself is a half-sister to GISW Promises Fullfilled (Shackleford). The WinStar homebred will have the services of John Velazquez.

BRIGADE COMMANDER (Hard Spun), a $325,000 KEESEP buy, was bred by Tami Bobo. Trained by Dallas Stewart and ridden by Flavien Prat, the bay colt counts GISW Daddys Lil Darling (Scat Daddy) and GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint hero Mongolian Saturday (Any Given Saturday) among his female family. TJCIS PPS

The post Sunday Insights: Winchell Colt Set To Pull Debut Out Of Hat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

We already know that the Spring meet at the old Keene Farm, hosted by the Association will card its share of tough, competitive fields. Before the 86th running of the $600,000 GI Central Bank Ashland S., spring has not officially 'sprung' until the 15-day season opens Friday, Apr. 7 with that feature. To say that this year's edition is stakes-laden would be a massive understatement, as it will present 19 black-type races, including five Grade I events, worth a season record $8.05 million.

“For Central Kentucky and fans of Thoroughbred racing around the world, April means Keeneland,” said the track's President and CEO, Shannon Arvin. “We are excited once again to offer world-class racing to horsemen, horsewomen, horseplayers and fans and to present a fantastic experience for our guests that is centered around outstanding hospitality and the best in Thoroughbred racing.”

Keeneland Spring meet | Keeneland

Keeneland is all about being 'world class' and there is a reason that the best come to participate. Trainers like Todd Pletcher, Chad Brown and Brad Cox will look to topple the hegemony of Wesley Ward, who has held the top spot these past few years. Speaking to TDN's Writers' Room this week, Cox said he held the meet in high regard and earning the top prize would be yet another feather in his cap.

“Yeah, there's no doubt. I mean, obviously I'm from Kentucky,” he said during the podcast. “It means a tremendous amount to me. We try to come out and with some of our better horses and we point for the meet. Listen, Turfway has really gotten good in the winter, but I mean, it's almost like it's the start of the spring, basically, for racing.”

Cox added, “Obviously you've got Chad [Brown] and Todd [Pletcher] who play huge roles in that meet [Keeneland]. They're two of the best there are and they bring their best for that meet. So, the spring and fall meet are extremely tough to win at and we definitely try to be competitive and one of the players there for sure.”

One of those players for Cox is Punch Bowl (Uncle Mo), who is entered in the Ashland against Mark Casse's Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) and Pletcher's Julia Shining (Curlin). He also has undefeated Wonderful Justice (GB) (Justify) in the $600,000 GIII Kentucky Utilities Transylvania S. going a mile and sixteenth on the Haggin Turf Course. The 3-year-old colt will face Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), a 'TDN Rising Star' trained by Brown.

As for others with high hopes, you do not have to crane your neck through the double doors marked Jockey's Quarters just off the palatial paddock at Keeneland to know that there is much on the line when it comes to this title. It might be a short meet compared to others, but with Irad Ortiz Jr., the reigning Eclipse Award winner who just wrapped up another leading rider ribbon at Gulfstream Park in attendance for the duration, plus with last year's victor Tyler Gaffalione, we know it's going to be another rumble.

One of the many jockeys who is looking to put his own stamp on the meet is Reylu Gutierrez. The 27-year-old from New York had a banner year in 2022, which included time at Keeneland in both the fall and the spring. He recently won the riding title at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans over the winter, which was a milestone first. Coming back to Lexington with confidence packed neatly in his suitcase, he is looking to sharpen his skills and prove something.

Reylu Gutierrez | Nicole Thomas

“When you are at the top of the standings like I was at the Fair Grounds, it pushes you further to maintain that steadiness,” he said by phone. “That's when you have to be at your best and I'm very confident in my program.”

Gutierrez will face the likes of Ortiz and Gaffalione, but also Hall of Famers like John Velazquez, Javier Castellano and Frankie Dettori, plus a host of other seasoned pilots, including Luis Saez, Joel Rosario, Flavien Prat and Florent Geroux. The pressure is real.

“It's a fun pressure,” Gutierrez was quick to point out. “I've had the opportunity to ride for a number of different trainers at the Fair Grounds this past year, so that's given me a great base and coming to Keeneland, where you know everyone wants to win, is a blessing to have.”

While the trainer and jockey standings will be closely watched on Opening Day, something the multitude can trust is that Keeneland will continue its devotion to the health of the horse. When it comes to safety and security, Keeneland is one of the leaders.

Dr. Stuart Brown, Vice President of Equine Safety, is full of gusto on the subject and he backs it up with a positive message about the plan. “Foundationally for the horse, previous experience tells us that it is in their best interest to have lots of surveillance, and that's where our vet cameras that look at all angles become an important tool for us, but that's not all.” said Dr. Brown.

Keeneland assails the prosaic and builds its own culture from the bottom up, brick-by-brick. “Everyone that works here knows we prepare and prepare by training ourselves to watch for what might happen,” he said. “Whether you are the head of equine safety or a crossing guard, we are always looking in our rearview mirrors to be an advocate for the horse.”

Dr. Stuart Brown | Keeneland

While Keeneland is racing this month, the track will employ three full-time ambulances with state-of-the-art equipment, which can whisk Thoroughbreds to nearby equine hospitals that are only minutes away. That is how Epicenter, who was injured in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic last November, received the effective treatment that he needed. “Our risk strategies help guide us, but we also stay nimble by being intentional with everything we do,” Dr. Brown said. “This isn't about striving to be the best, it's about driving to be the best, and the horses are worth it.”

Opening Day will offer a unique challenge to the trainers and the jockeys when the Spring meet gets underway Friday. However, Keeneland is also much more when it comes to honoring the sport of Thoroughbred racing. It's a place where the cutting edge is drawn comfortably alongside a timeless tradition. April means Keeneland, as Shannon Arvin put it so succinctly.

Your invitation is issued.

Keeneland's Spring meet races for 15 days from Apr. 7-28. No racing Mondays, Tuesdays and Easter Sunday, Apr. 9. Click here for more information.

The post An Invitation To Keeneland Opening Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

“Keeneland believes that access to data is an important step in both educating and engaging our fans,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “We piloted a digital program during the pandemic that was incredibly well received when fans tuned into our racing product from afar.”

Complimentary race-day programs, which feature past performances from Equibase, will be available for download on Keeneland's website at www.Keeneland.com/program.

The program for opening day, which is headlined by the $600,000 GI Central Bank Ashland S. is expected to be available online for download on Wednesday, Apr. 5.

“We as an industry have a collective responsibility to create lifelong fans of the sport,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Equipping the public with the tools and information to be successful participants is key to creating active interest in Keeneland racing.”

The 15-day Spring Meet continues through Friday, Apr. 28.

The post Keeneland to Offer Free Digital Programs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Concerning tickets for its upcoming Spring Meet, to be held Apr. 7-28, those will go on sale Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. ET. A variety of options for Dining, Grandstand reserved seating and General Admission are available, and all tickets must be pre-purchased via Keeneland's Official Online Ticket Office.

“Thanks to our equine community, including our fans, Keeneland enjoyed a historic racing year in 2022, and we are excited to continue to build on that momentum,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “The Keeneland team is busy finalizing plans for the spring, and we can't wait to welcome guests in just a few short weeks for what we know will be a terrific racing season.”

The 15-day Spring Meet offers racing Wednesdays through Sundays, except Easter Sunday, Apr. 9. Post time is 1 p.m. daily.

The post Keeneland Adds The Hill Experience To Sundays During Spring Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Two focal points on the schedule will be the 99th running of the $1 million GI Toyota Blue Grass and 86th running of the $600,000 GI Central Bank Ashland, both major targets of the nation's top 3-year-olds.

Keeneland has increased the purses of two Grade I stakes for older females–the GI Madison and the GI Jenny Wiley–by $100,000 apiece to $600,000 and has raised the purses of three listed stakes–the FanDuel Limestone, the Giant's Causeway and the Palisades–by $50,000 each to $250,000. Fifteen stakes are graded, with the GII Beaumont Presented by Keeneland Select featuring an upgrade for 2023.

Contributing to the Spring Meet stakes purses is a total of $1.5 million available from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF), pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

“Keeneland enjoyed arguably its most successful racing year ever in 2022, thanks to a stellar lineup of equine stars and racing stables competing for record purses and the historic wagering that followed at the Spring and Fall Meets and the popularity of hosting our third Breeders' Cup World Championships,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said.

“We are grateful for the interest in Keeneland racing from our horsemen, horseplayers and fans, and their enthusiasm creates momentum for the future. We are excited to further strengthen this year's Spring Meet stakes schedule so purses of all Grade I races are at least $600,000, while all Grade II races are a minimum of $350,000 and all Grade III events are a minimum of $300,000.”

For information on Keeneland's 2023 Spring Meet, click here.

The post Keeneland Announces Record Spring Stakes Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post