Keeneland: a gracious setting for thoroughbred racing
Keeneland Race Course has been the home of thoroughbred racing in Lexington since 1936.
At Keeneland, race enthusiasts can view stakes races in a beautiful setting little changed from its early years. It's no wonder that the Horseplayers Association of North America has ranked Keeneland as No. 1!
Keeneland is such an intimate track that you can actually make your way to the rail and feel the horses thunder by. Keeneland has changed so little since its inception that the 2003 movie Seabiscuit was filmed here. But you can also catch the races as you dine, whether lunching in the Equestrian Room, enjoying the buffet in the smoke-free Phoenix Room, which overlooks the paddock, or dining in the more formal Lexington or Kentucky Rooms, which overlook the grandstand.
Live racing at Keeneland takes place for three weeks in April and another three weeks in October. Keeneland's spring meet contains several preps for the Kentucky Derby. For more information on the upcoming meeting, click here.
General admission is $5, and free for children 12 and younger. A spring meet pass costs just $18 (including a $3 handling fee). Or you can reserve a seat in the grandstand for $8 on weekdays, $10 on weekends and $20 for Toyota Bluegrass Stakes Day.
During the rest of the year, Keeneland has betting on simulcast races from around the world. Check the Simulcast Racing Schedule for times and dates.
In addition to horse racing, Keeneland is world famous for its thoroughbred horse auctions. Such racing legends as Big Brown, the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner; Alysheba, the 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner; Sunday Silence, the 1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner; and Spectacular Bid, the 1979 Preakness winner, were among the thousands of champions and stakes winners sold at Keeneland since 1943. Keeneland conducts four sales each year.
Keeneland also boasts one of the most extensive horse-racing libraries in the world. Established in 1939, the reference library contains more than 10,000 volumes and a large collection of videocassettes, newspaper clippings and photographic negatives.
While early-morning tours of Keeneland are most enjoyable during live racing, visitors can show up at 7:30 a.m. anytime and still get a fabulous breakfast and a glimpse at early-morning workouts. Use this map for a self-guided tour.
Keeneland's track kitchen, located near the barn, opens at 6 a.m. every day except for holidays. Not only will you get a great breakfast, but, especially during live racing, you might find yourself sitting next to a famous jockey, trainer or owner! The kitchen is open for lunch only during races and sales. For groups of 12 or more, please call ahead at (859) 288-4147 or e-mail nanaseitz@turfcatering.com.
- by Ivonne Rovira, Lexington Reporter for HelloMetro
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