The commonwealth of Kentucky together with the remainder of the southeastern United States is recovering from copious quantities of rain and wind following Hurricane Helene’s path by means of the area – however the inclement climate departed in time for the beginning of considered one of central Kentucky’s most beloved traditions, the opening of Keeneland Race Course’s fall meet.
The skies have cleared, temperatures are pleasant, and most significantly, dozens of top-class racehorses are on Keeneland’s bucolic grounds primed and able to compete in 22 stakes races over 17 racing days from Oct. 4-26 value a document $9.85 million in purses.
The meet kicks off at its apex, with a three-day Fall Stars weekend Oct. 4-6 that includes 11 stakes races, eight of that are “Win and You’re In” Problem Collection qualifiers for particular Breeders’ Cup races Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar.
Get pleasure from ABR’s information to the Keeneland Fall Meet, with suggestions for visiting the monitor and the Lexington space.
Ticketing Data … and Look ahead to Building
Persevering with a coverage began in spring 2021, Keeneland admission and eating tickets have to be bought prematurely through the on-line ticket workplace or by means of the Keeneland RaceDay app. The monitor gives a 48-hour prematurely return coverage. As of Sept. 30, basic admission tickets have been nonetheless out there for all days save Oct. 5, 12, and 19. You can even join a ready listing to make the most of cancellations in case your unique date is offered out. Common Admission season passes are nonetheless out there forward of the Fall Meet and may be bought on-line. by means of Oct. 3. Examine ticket availability right here.
Those that visited the monitor final spring actually seen that crews had commenced engaged on a large building challenge designed to improve the paddock and surrounding buildings. The revamp began after the autumn 2023 meet concluded and can proceed into subsequent yr, with completion scheduled in time for the autumn 2025 meet. This fall meet, all paved parking rows will probably be for allow parking and free handicap parking solely. No reservation is required for handicap parking. Allow parking have to be bought prematurely: purchase passes right here. Free public parking continues to be out there day-after-day at “The Hill” and “The Meadow” tons (see under), and shuttle service is, as all the time, supplied, with a shuttle depot space plus a ride-share drop-off and pick-up conveniently positioned simply east of the gross sales pavilion not removed from the South gate to the racetrack. On account of building, followers will solely have the ability to enter Keeneland by means of the South or North gates.
Climb The Hill, or Frolic in The Meadow
Tailgating is allowed in a number of areas all through Keeneland, a few of them restricted by ongoing building, however floor zero for prerace enjoyable and camaraderie is up on “The Hill.” Jumbo TVs and betting kiosks can be found for watching and wagering on the races, and meals vans and dwell music from The Burl venue Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays may even be featured as a part of the general expertise. Premium tailgating packages are additionally supplied – click on right here for particulars.
Simply west of “The Hill” lies “The Meadow,” one other free parking spot a smidge nearer to the monitor. Tailgating can be permitted on this space, and each “The Hill” and “The Meadow” are accessible by means of Gate 1 on the intersection of U.S. 60 (Versailles Rd.) and Man o’ Warfare Blvd.
Betting Choices Aplenty
Laying down a guess on-site at Keeneland is straightforward and the monitor has BETologists on-site at its Wagering Central hub (positioned below the grandstand close to the end line) to assist followers new to the sport turn into acquainted with the fundamentals of handicapping and cash administration. Keeneland’s drive-thru betting has been discontinued, however advance-deposit wagering is after all supplied by means of the Keeneland Choose web site and app.
Two handicapping contests are on the Fall schedule: a $400 Fall Problem, an on-track solely contest held Friday, Oct. 11, that gives one berth to the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Betting Problem (BCBC) and as many as 4 berths to the 2025 Nationwide Horseplayers Championship (NHC); after which a Keeneland BCBC-NHC Fall Handicapping Problem held Oct. 12, the place entrants wager both on-site at Keeneland or by means of the next ADW firms: XpressBet, NYRA Bets, 4NJ Bets, TVG, TwinSpires, and HPI. Primarily based on the variety of entries, as many as six BCBC and as many as 10 NHC berths might be up for grabs.
Along with the above big-player matches, Keeneland gives a WINS-Day Problem Offered by Malone’s handicapping contest every Wednesday of the meet, Oct. 9, 16, and 23. The entry price is barely $10 and is subsequently interesting to these simply entering into handicapping, and the competition requires contestants to position a legendary $2 win and place wager on a horse in every of Keeneland’s remaining six races. The primary 200 contributors will obtain a free Every day Racing Type and an appetizer card from Malone’s, the favored Lexington-based steakhouse chain.
Particular Occasions for One and All
Keeneland’s family-friendly Dawn Trackside program will probably be held on the 4 Saturdays through the dwell meet: Oct. 5, 12, 19, and 26. It’s positioned on the first flooring grandstand space and gives a meet-and-greet with the monitor’s mascot, face portray video games, espresso and donuts, and an opportunity to observe horses practice on the monitor. An equine meet-and-greet may even be held at 8:30 a.m. ET.
On opening Saturday, Oct. 5, Keeneland will host a jockey autograph signing on the North Terrace from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. that includes members of Keeneland’s world-class jockey colony in addition to some retirees, together with Corridor of Fame members. Proceeds profit the Completely Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF).
Thursday, Oct. 10 is Keeneland’s Make-a-Want Day. Native Thoroughbred farms and organizations staff up with the monitor to grant needs for 10 youngsters together with their households, together with awarding VIP trophies and assembly jockeys. It’s a special occasion for everybody concerned, and it might result in extremely uplifting tales that attain far past the world of racing – reminiscent of again in 2018, when Cody Dorman met and bonded with a racehorse finally named Cody’s Want, the 2023 Horse of the Yr.
Keeneland may even host a Faculty Scholarship Day (Friday, Oct. 18, introduced by Lane’s Finish), a Heroes Day honoring members of the army (Sunday, Oct. 20), and a Instructor Appreciation Day (Saturday, Oct. 26). And the monitor will go all out in rousing the spirit of College of Kentucky followers on Friday, Oct. 11, when Large Blue Day is held that includes a pep rally and sports activities icons reminiscent of 1978 NCAA Closing 4 MVP Jack “Goose” Givens. Some of the cherished Keeneland fall traditions entails doubling up on horse racing and a house UK soccer recreation, and followers ought to have two alternatives through the meet, on Oct. 12 and Oct. 26, when Vanderbilt and Auburn go to (kickoff instances for these video games TBD).
Unparalleled Meals and Drink
Keeneland is famend amongst racetrack aficionados for having among the greatest meals choices in any respect value factors. As famous above, eating tickets can solely be bought prematurely, however thankfully, there are numerous choices for reserved seat and basic admission attendees at stands across the facility (and no matter you do, be sure you go to the Observe Kitchen for breakfast at the least as soon as through the meet).
Take a look at ABR’s information to Keeneland’s meals right here, and you should definitely attempt the Keeneland Fall Ale, offered in cans and on draft as a part of a partnership between the monitor and Nation Boy Brewing of Lexington. Gross sales for the ale will profit Blue Grass Farms Charities.
What to Do in Lexington: Fall Festivities Aplenty
Lexington’s fashionable and free Central Financial institution Lexington Thursday Evening Reside downtown live performance sequence, which begins throughout Keeneland’s spring meet, will wind down its weekly run quickly, with the final occasion set for Oct. 10. However the Horse Capital of the World will nonetheless be buzzing all month lengthy with full live performance calendars at The Burl and Manchester Music Corridor, each positioned in within the hip Manchester St. Distillery District simply west of downtown. Highlights embody longtime Christian rock band Sixpence None the Richer (of “Kiss Me” fame again in 1997) on Oct. 22 and a go to from ace guitarist Richard Lloyd (a member of the influential Nineteen Seventies New York band Tv) on Oct. 17, each at The Burl.
Over on the Lexington Opera Home downtown, comedy and spoken phrase reveals blanket the month, with visits from comic and viral video star Desi Banks (Oct. 11), writer and satirist David Sedaris (Oct. 21) and actor-comedian David Cross of “Mr. Present” and “Arrested Growth” fame (Oct. 22). And on Keeneland’s closing day, Saturday, Oct. 26, Rupp Area hosts people rock powerhouse The Avett Brothers, touring behind their self-titled 11th album and with domestically fashionable New Albany, Ind., band Houndmouth opening.
Lexington’s restaurant and bar scene is booming, and spots such because the Granddam restaurant and Misplaced Palm rooftop bar at The Manchester lodge proceed to thrive somewhat greater than a yr after opening. Final March, a brewery opened adjoining to the aforementioned The Burl music venue, appropriately named Burl Brew, that includes a wide range of beer, loads of TVs, and meals out there from local-owned Lucy’s Kitchen. Throughout city, one other occurring district off of Winchester Rd. is the place you’ll discover Mirror Twin Brewing on Nationwide Ave. Celebrating its eighth anniversary in October, Mirror Twin is a standout within the native brewery scene, with a various listing of hops and two spacious taprooms plus a patio. What’s extra, the Rolling Oven Pizzeria is positioned inside Mirror Twin, providing scrumptious wood-fired pies to accompany the beer quaffing. Attempt the pepperoni.
Final however actually not least, horse lovers from across the nation will probably be on the Kentucky Horse Park from Oct. 9-12 for the Retired Racehorse Venture’s Thoroughbred Makeover and Nationwide Symposium. The Makeover, first held in 2013 and moved to the Horse Park simply north of Lexington in 2015, is the world’s largest retraining competitors for lately retired racehorses, providing 10 aggressive disciplines together with Barrel Racing, Discipline Hunter, and Dressage. Take a look at current tales from trainers and OTTBs (off-the-track Thoroughbreds) concentrating on the 2024 makeover on ABR’s Aftercare web site.