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Keeneland Realigns Racing And Sales Operations For Future Growth

Keeneland announced on Thursday a strategic realignment of its core racing and sales operations to strengthen its ability to execute its mission and better serve the needs of its global clientele.

Keeneland president-elect Shannon Arvin will serve as interim head of sales while a search is conducted this fall for a new vice president of sales. Arvin, who as a partner with Stoll Keenon Ogden (SKO) has served as corporate counsel to Keeneland since 2008 and as secretary and advisory member of Keeneland's Board of Directors since 2015, was named July 2 to succeed Bill Thomason as Keeneland President and CEO upon his retirement at the end of the year.

Under the realignment, Bob Elliston will become Keeneland's vice president of racing. With more than two decades of industry leadership experience, Elliston will focus his attention on advancing Keeneland's racing product, industry-wide safety and integrity initiatives, preparations for the upcoming Breeders' Cup World Championships and expanding Keeneland's mission to grow the sport.

“The demands of these two globally significant business lines require tremendous time and resources, especially as we navigate these unprecedented times and get ready for a fall season that includes two major sales, the Fall Meet and Breeders' Cup,” Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason said. “We understand the uncertainty and the extraordinary challenges our customers are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We want them to know that we are all in this together, and we are committed to providing the best opportunities for them to succeed in the sales ring and on the race track. This realignment enables Keeneland to deliver on this promise when our industry needs it most.”

Arvin and Elliston both bring a wealth of expertise and passion for Keeneland to their roles and they will provide a seamless transition for the Keeneland team and its customers. In her position as counsel, Arvin has worked alongside the Keeneland sales and executive staffs on operational plans for the September Yearling Sale, safety protocols, online bidding and beyond. Elliston has led racing operations since 2016, bolstering safety and welfare protocols, introducing the position of equine safety director and negotiating the return of the Breeders' Cup.

As the world's largest Thoroughbred auction company, Keeneland conducts four sales annually, which last year grossed more than $627 million and includes the prestigious September Yearling and November Breeding Stock Sales. Keeneland recently launched its online auction platform, Keeneland Digital Sales Ring.

“The Keeneland sales are an important economic engine for Keeneland and vital to the global Thoroughbred industry,” Arvin said. “Over these next few months, I look forward to working alongside Bill, listening to our customers, learning from our sales team and evaluating opportunities to further enhance Keeneland's premier sales.”

In addition to spring and fall race meet operations and the track's multimillion-dollar stakes program, Elliston will continue to oversee initiatives critical to the health of the sport such as safety and integrity innovations, elevating the racing experience for Keeneland customers and expanding outreach to grow the sport for future generations.

“As we saw during the recent Summer Meet, racing at Keeneland is second to none, and I am excited to be able to focus my attention on preparing for the Fall Meet and Breeders' Cup,” Elliston said. “I am proud of the great strides we have made, particularly in the areas of safety and fan development, and I look forward to building on the foundation we have put in place.”

Keeneland will hold its September Sale from Sept. 13-25 and Fall Meet from Oct. 2-24; Breeders' Cup returns Nov. 6-7, immediately followed by the November Sale, which begins Nov. 9.

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Keeneland Announces Operations Realignment

Keeneland is undergoing a “strategic realignment of its core racing and sales operations to strengthen its ability to execute its mission and better serve the needs of its global clientele,” it announced Thursday.

Shannon Arvin, who it was announced earlier this month will succeed Bill Thomason as the company’s President and CEO at the end of 2020, will serve as Interim Head of Sales while a search is conducted this fall to fill that role. While a partner at the Lexington law firm Stoll Keenon Ogden (SKO), Arvin has served as corporate counsel to Keeneland since 2008 and as Secretary and Advisory Member of Keeneland’s Board of Directors since 2015.

As part of the realignment, Bob Elliston–previously Vice President of Racing and Sales–will now focus his attention on Keeneland’s racing product as Vice President of Racing.

“The demands of these two globally significant business lines require tremendous time and resources, especially as we navigate these unprecedented times and get ready for a fall season that includes two major sales, the Fall Meet and Breeders’ Cup,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “We understand the uncertainty and the extraordinary challenges our customers are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We want them to know that we are all in this together, and we are committed to providing the best opportunities for them to succeed in the sales ring and on the race track. This realignment enables Keeneland to deliver on this promise when our industry needs it most.”

Keeneland will hold its September yearling sale from Sept. 13-25; its Fall Meet Oct. 2-24; will host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships Nov. 6-7; and the November Breeding Stock sale beginning Nov. 9. It recently held a five-day, stakes-filled summer meet brought about by scheduling changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elliston added, “As we saw during the recent Summer Meet, racing at Keeneland is second to none, and I am excited to be able to focus my attention on preparing for the Fall Meet and Breeders’ Cup. I am proud of the great strides we have made, particularly in the areas of safety and fan development, and I look forward to building on the foundation we have put in place.”

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$63 Million Wagered During Five-Day Summer Meet At Keeneland

Keeneland successfully closed its unprecedented five-day Summer Meet on Sunday with all-sources wagering of more than $63 million at the Lexington, Ky., track. Driving robust wagering were top-quality race fields representing the nation's top stables and jockeys, and the enthusiastic support of fans who were watching and wagering remotely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

All-sources wagering on the Summer Meet, held July 8-12, totaled $63,299,331. Average daily all-sources handle was $12,659,866.

Wagering was boosted by a single-day all-sources handle for the 10-race card on Toyota Blue Grass Day, Saturday, July 11, of $23,834,972, second only to the record $25,809,200 set for last year's 11-race Toyota Blue Grass Day card. The All-Stakes Pick Five on Saturday handled $1,395,051, well above the former record of $1,079,197 set on Toyota Blue Grass Day last year.

On-track handle, which includes wagering conducted at Keeneland and Red Mile, totaled $674,310, for an average daily on-track handle of $134,862.

“Horsemen and fans alike highly anticipated the Summer Meet, and their expectations were exceeded by the breathtaking level of racing we enjoyed here this week,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “I can't express how much we missed our fans at Keeneland, and we thank them for their strong support from afar. This pandemic created a number of operational and logistical challenges for us to make this season a reality. I am so proud of the collaboration between state and local health officials, our horsemen, our corporate partners and our Keeneland team, all of whom worked tirelessly to create a safe environment on track and deliver such incredible racing.”

The Summer Meet was the first in Keeneland history and accommodated a portion of the 16-day Spring Meet that Keeneland canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Because of strict health and safety protocols, the Summer Meet was conducted without fans, who watched and wagered remotely via the track's Keeneland at Home Presented by Central Bank campaign. Each race day, Keeneland provided enhanced racing coverage streamed live through YouTube, Facebook and Twitter; a new pre-race show, “Keeneland at Home presented by Central Bank,” and complimentary digital race- day programs available on keeneland.com to download.

The Summer Meet featured 10 graded stakes worth $2,575,000 with four Grade 1 stakes, four Grade 2 races and two Grade 3 events. Keeneland paid total purses of $4,744,435, for average daily purse levels of $948,887. Starters per race averaged 9.4.

“We thank our horsemen for their support of the Summer Meet and for always bringing their 'A Game' to Keeneland,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing and Sales Bob Elliston said. “These stakes races are important targets on the racing calendar, representing significant income for horsemen and important black type for breeders. We appreciate the cooperation of Ellis Park and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in helping us make this opportunity possible.”

Keeneland permitted a limited number of owners to be at the track on the day their horses raced.

“We particularly thank the owners that attended for their patience and adherence to the Healthy at Work protocols,” Keeneland Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Vince Gabbert said. “We know the race day did not look or feel like those you are used to enjoying at Keeneland. We appreciate your assistance as we navigate this unusual landscape.”

Summer Meet Highlights
The Summer Meet was headlined by Toyota Blue Grass Day on Saturday, when Keeneland presented six graded stakes anchored by the $600,000 Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and $400,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1), preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), respectively; $350,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1) and $250,000 Madison (G1).

Among the Summer Meet highlights:

Art Collector roared past the filly Swiss Skydiver to win the Toyota Blue Grass and establish himself as a favorite for the $3 million Kentucky Derby to be run Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs.
Speech won the Central Bank Ashland to earn 100 points and move into second place on the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard with 160 points.
Rushing Fall successfully defended her title in the Coolmore Jenny Wiley to win her fifth Keeneland stakes, a total that trails only the record seven owned by Wise Dan. She becomes the third horse since 1976 to win Grade 1 stakes as age 2, 3, 4 and 5, joining Lady Eli and Beholder.
Guarana gamely fought back after being passed in midstretch by Mia Mischief to win the Madison and give trainer Chad Brown his 100^th Grade 1 victory.
2019 Preakness (G1) winner War of Will won the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) on July 10 to become a Grade 1 winner on both turf and dirt.

On Saturday, Keeneland hosted the first online Summer Handicapping Challenge, with 208 entrants paying the $3,000 entry fee and playing through XpressBet and TVG. Stephen Thompson won the event with a bankroll of $41,076 from a beginning stake of $2,000. Thompson takes home, in addition to his bankroll, $40,000 in prize money, a $10,000 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge entry and a National Horseplayers Championship entry. In all, six players won BCBC spots and 10 players won NHC spots.

Summer Meet Leaders
The abbreviated meet did not dampen competition for leading owner, trainer and jockey titles.

Three owners tied for leading honors with two wins each: Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Larry Best's OXO Equine and Kirk Wycoff's Three Diamonds Farm. The Ramseys increased their record number of Keeneland titles to 22. Best earned his first leading owner title. Wycoff won the Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3) with Field Pass to secure his second leading owner title.

Wesley Ward and Ian Wilkes each recorded five wins to tie for leading trainer honors. It was the sixth Keeneland title for Ward, following titles in the Spring of 2019, 2018 (tie), 2017 and 2012 and in the Fall of 2012. It is the first Keeneland title for Wilkes, who won the Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select with Four Graces.

Trainer Mike Maker swept both closing-day stakes, the TVG Elkhorn (G2) with Zulu Alpha and the Transylvania with Field Pass.

Tyler Gaffalione won the final race of the meet, the TVG Elkhorn, to secure his second Keeneland riding title. His first title came in the 2018 Fall Meet. Gaffalione accounted for two other stakes during the meet: the Maker's Mark Mile aboard War of Will and the Shakertown (G2) with Leinster.

Brian Hernandez Jr. finished second in the jockey standings with six wins. Hernandez won the Toyota Blue Grass with Art Collector.

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Rushing Fall, Swiss Skydiver Top Stakes Nominations For Keeneland’s Historic Summer Meet

E Five Racing Thoroughbreds' four-time Keeneland stakes winner Rushing Fall and Peter Callahan's multiple graded stakes winner Swiss Skydiver, the leading point earner on the 2020 Road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1), are among the noted horses nominated to the 10 stakes worth a total of $2,575,000 to be run during Keeneland's five-day Summer Meet from July 8-12.

Rushing Fall and Swiss Skydiver both are nominated to stakes on July 11, when Keeneland will host a blockbuster day of racing featuring six graded stakes. Rushing Fall is nominated to the $350,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1), which she won last year, while Swiss Skydiver is nominated to both the $600,000 Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and $400,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1).

The Summer Meet, which accommodates a portion of the 16-day Spring Meet that Keeneland was forced to cancel due to the COVID-19 outbreak, will be held without fans but with limited owners in attendance.

“Keeneland thanks the owners and trainers who nominated horses to the Summer Meet stakes and will be supporting our racing program during this historic five-day season,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing and Sales Bob Elliston said. “We also salute the exercise riders, grooms, hot walkers and others in the stable area who have reported to work every day since the pandemic began to continue caring for these horses. This season would not be possible without the hard work and cooperation of countless people and organizations along with the backing of Keeneland's corporate partners.”

For 3-year-olds, the 96th running of the Toyota Blue Grass, held at 1 1/8 miles, and the 83rd running of the Central Bank Ashland, at 1 1/16 miles, are respective major preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) on Sept. 5 and Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4. The Toyota Blue Grass and Central Bank Ashland both carry 170 qualifying points for the Derby and Oaks on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the first four finishers.

Joining the Toyota Blue Grass, Central Bank Ashland and Coolmore Jenny Wiley on July 11 are the $250,000 Madison (G1), $150,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association and $150,000 Shakertown (G2).

Wagering that day will feature a $500,000 Guaranteed All-Stakes Pick Five and $500,000 Guaranteed All-Stakes Pick Four.

Click here for the list of nominees to the Summer Meet stakes and their past performances. Here is a look at those nominations:

Friday, July 10 – Entries taken July 7

Maker's Mark Mile (G1): The 32nd running of the prestigious $300,000 turf race attracted 34 nominees headed by the first- and second-place finishers in the May 25 Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita: Raging Bull (FR) and Next Shares.

Owned by Peter Brant and trained by Chad Brown, Raging Bull is a two-time Grade 1 winner who was fourth in last year's Maker's 46 Mile. Next Shares, winner of Keeneland's Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) in 2018, is trained by Richard Baltas, who is part-owner of the 7-year-old.

Gary Barber owns and Mark Casse trains two other nominees of note: Got Stormy, a multiple Grade 1-winning mare who has defeated males and was second in the 2019 TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) and third in Keeneland's 2019 Coolmore Jenny Wiley, and 2019 Preakness (G1) winner War of Will.

Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select: The 35th running of the $100,000 race, which will be contested over the Beard Course of 7 furlongs, 184 feet on the main track, carries 34 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks on a 20-8-4-2 scale for the top four finishers.

Heading the 27 nominees is Alex and JoAnn Lieblong's Wicked Whisper. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Wicked Whisper won last fall's Frizette (G1) at Belmont. She has not raced since finishing fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Santa Anita in November.

Saturday, July 11 – Entries taken July 8

Toyota Blue Grass (G2): This year's running of Keeneland's most famous race will mark the 25th year the stakes has been sponsored by Toyota. Among the 48 nominees is the aforementioned filly Swiss Skydiver.

Trained by two-time Toyota Blue Grass winner Kenny McPeek, Swiss Skydiver has won her past three starts beginning with the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and followed by the Fantasy (G3) at Oaklawn Park and Santa Anita Oaks (G2).

Another accomplished runner is Jackpot Farm's Basin, winner of the Runhappy Hopeful (G1) last summer at Saratoga. Trained by Asmussen, Basin finished second in a division of the Arkansas Derby (G1) in his most recent start.

Other nominees of note include Ete Indien and a quartet of runners from the stable of Bob Baffert.

Ete Indien, who won the Fountain of Youth (G2) and was third in the Florida Derby (G1), is trained by Patrick Biancone. He co-owns the colt in partnership with Linda Shanahan, Sanford Bacon, Dream With Me Stable, Horse France America and D P Racing.

Spendthrift Farm, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables' Authentic, runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in his most recent start, is one of the nominees for Baffert.

Other Baffert nominees include two-time graded stakes winner Thousand Words, who is owned by Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm, and two debut maiden winners: Uncle Chuck, owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Whitman; and Cezanne, owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and St. Elias Stable.

Central Bank Ashland (G1): Swiss Skydiver heads the 30 nominees, which also include Grade 2 winners Bonny South, Tonalist's Shape and Venetian Harbor.

Trained by Brad Cox and owned by Juddmonte Farms, Bonny South has won her past three races, including the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in her most recent start.

Tonalist's Shape, winner of the Davona Dale (G2) and Forward Gal (G3) at Gulfstream in February, is trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. for owners Slam Dunk Racing, Doug Branham and Legacy Ranch.

Ciaglia Racing, Highland Yard, River Oak Farm and Dominic Savides' Venetian Harbor won the Las Virgenes (G2) at Santa Anita. Trained by Richard Baltas, she was second to Swiss Skydiver in the Fantasy in her most recent start.

Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1): Defending champion Rushing Fall heads a list of 22 fillies and mares nominated to the 1 1/16-mile turf race. Trained by Chad Brown, Rushing Fall has won four stakes at Keeneland starting with the 2017 JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G3), 2018 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association and 2018 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Lane's End (G1).

With a win in the Coolmore Jenny Wiley, Rushing Fall would join champions Beholder and Lady Eli as the only horses to win Grade 1 races at age 2, 3, 4 and 5 since 1976.

Also nominated to the Coolmore Jenny Wiley is Brant's champion Sistercharlie (IRE), a seven-time Grade 1 winner who captured the 2018 Jenny Wiley. Brown also trains Sistercharlie, who received the 2018 Eclipse Award as champion turf female.

Madison (G1): Haruya Yoshida's defending champion Spiced Perfection tops a roster of 23 fillies and mares nominated to the 7-furlong race on the main track. Now trained by Mark Casse, Spiced Perfection also won Keeneland's Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) during the 2019 Fall Meet.

Other top sprinters nominated to the Madison are Grade 1 winners Guarana, owned by Three Chimneys Farm and Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and trained by Brown, and Mia Mischief, owned by Stonestreet Stables and trained by Asmussen.

Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association: The race, for 3-year-old fillies going one mile on the turf, drew 29 nominees headlined by Robert and Lawana Low's Sweet Melania. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Sweet Melania won last fall's JPMorgan Chase Jessamine (G2) at Keeneland and captured her 2020 debut in the Wonder Again (G3) at Belmont on June 20.

Shakertown (G2): Wesley Ward's Bound for Nowhere heads a list of 36 nominees for the 24th running of the $150,000, 5½-furlong turf race for 3-year-olds and up. Ward trains Bound for Nowhere, who won the 2018 Shakertown and finished second in last year's race.

Sunday, July 12 – Entries taken July 9

TVG Elkhorn (G2): The 35th running of the $175,000 race, for 4-year-olds and up going 1½ miles on the turf, drew 39 nominees. Heading them is Michael Hui's $2 million earner Zulu Alpha.

Trained by Mike Maker, Zulu Alpha has won two of three starts in 2020 headlined by a triumph in the Pegasus World Turf Invitational (G1). Among his six graded stakes victories is the 2018 Sycamore (G3) at Keeneland.

Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3): Topping the list of 30 nominees for 32nd running of the 1/16-mile turf test for 3-year-olds worth $100,000 is Three Diamond Farm's Field Pass.

Maker also trains Field Pass, a three-time stakes winner who won the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) in March and the Audubon at Churchill Downs in his most recent start June 20.

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