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Keeneland Spring Meet Concludes with Record Handle

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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Keeneland Catalogs 73 Horses of Racing Age for April Sale

Keeneland has cataloged 73 horses for its April Horses of Racing Age Sale, to be held Friday, Apr. 29 following the races on closing day of the Spring Meet. The sale, which will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET and be livestreamed on Keeneland.com, will be conducted as an integrated event, with live auctioneers at Keeneland and with horses presented for sale both physically at Keeneland and at off-site locations. Keeneland also will provide online and phone bidding for buyers who wish to participate remotely.

“We're really excited about hosting the April Sale as a complement to the Spring Meet this year,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Racing in the afternoon and the sale in the evening will combine to showcase what Keeneland does best and provide a fantastic experience for our clients. The date of the sale should accommodate horsemen as they transition to summer racing.”

On Apr. 29, post time for Keeneland's first race will be 12:30 p.m. to accommodate 10 races, led by the featured GIII Bewitch S. The final race will go off at approximately 5:09 p.m., and the April Sale will begin around 6:30 p.m.

Highlights of the catalog include:

• Western River, a 3-year-old winning colt by Tapit who is a full brother to GI Belmont S. winner Creator and is being pointed at the May 14 GIII Peter Pan S. at Belmont
• Acting Out, a 5-year-old daughter of Blame who won the Apr. 2 Carousel S. at Oaklawn.
• Battle Bling, a stakes-winning 4-year-old daughter of Vancouver (Aus).
• Cazadero, a 4-year-old 'TDN Rising Star' son of Street Sense out of Grade 3 winner and millionaire Wild Gams who won the 2020 GIII Bashford Manor (G3) at Churchill Downs;
• Cowan, a 4-year-old stakes-winning colt by Kantharos who was second in the 2020 GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and won the 2020 Duncan F. Kenner S.
• North Dakota, a 6-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro who is a half-brother to leading sire War Front and won the 2020 GIII Red Smith S.
• Sianara, a 4-year-old winning daughter of Malibu Moon who is a half-sister to MGSW 3-year-old Forbidden Kingdom (American Pharoah).

Keeneland will continue to accept approved supplemental entries to the April Sale until the sale date.

Click here for the enhanced digital catalog on Keeneland.com. The catalog, also available through the Equibase iPad app, includes pedigrees, Equibase past performances and race videos, Daily Racing Form past performances, and Ragozin and Thoro-Graph figures. Consignors may upload photographs and walking videos.

Print copies of the catalog will be available at Keeneland beginning April 18. A printed supplemental catalog also will be available prior to the sale.

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Keeneland Conducting Hiring Center, Job Fair for Spring Meet

Keeneland is inviting people who are interested in working at the track during the 2022 Spring Meet from Apr. 8-29 to apply for available positions in one of three ways: Attend the Job Fair Mar. 19, stop by the Hiring Center during March or apply online. Keeneland is looking to fill more than 2,000 positions for the Spring Meet in Concessions, Culinary, Dining, Guest Services, Parking, Retail, Security, Track Kitchen and other areas.

On-site interviews for all positions will be conducted at the Job Fair and at the Hiring Center. Because employment offers may be made on the spot at these events, candidates are asked to bring two forms of identification with them.

The Job Fair will be held Saturday, Mar. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET. The Hiring Center will be available Tuesdays and Thursdays in March from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Mar. 1 and running through Mar. 31. Both events will be held on the second floor of the track's Grandstand. Positions also are listed on Keeneland.com/jobs for candidates to apply any time.

“Keeneland's seasonal workforce is invaluable to our race meet operations,” Keeneland Director of Human Resources John Greene said. “There are many diverse opportunities to be part of the Spring Meet fun, enjoy consistent hours, earn extra money and work with a quality hospitality and operations team.”

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Keeneland’s April HORA Sale on Spring Meet’s Final Day

Keeneland will hold the April Horses of Racing Age Sale Friday, Apr. 29, following the last race on the closing day of the Spring Meet. The 10-race card will have an adjusted first post of 12:30 p.m. from the traditional 1 p.m., with the final race of the closing card scheduled for approximately 5:09 p.m. The sale will follow at 6:30 p.m.

“Keeneland is excited for this opportunity to bridge racing and sales and capitalize on the energy of the Spring Meet,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “By hosting the April Sale on a race day, we will introduce some race fans to the sales arena and hopefully develop new participants over time. We also can showcase the sale before industry focus moves to Louisville and Kentucky Derby Week.”

Like last year, the April Sale will be an integrated event, with live auctioneers at Keeneland and horses presented for sale both physically at Keeneland as well as at off-site locations, depending on the preference of the sellers and consignors. Internet and phone bidding will be available.

“Keeneland is unique in its role as both a racetrack and sales company, and we want to continue to strengthen the synergy between those two operations,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “The timing of the April Sale enables trainers to make adjustments to their racing stables as they move to their summer bases.”

Entry deadline for the print version of the April Sale catalogue is Apr. 1, with supplemental entries accepted until the sale. Keeneland's Spring Meet will be held Apr. 8-29.

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