Keeneland Announces Record $4.8M Spring Stakes Schedule

Topped by the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) and $500,000 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1), a season-record $4.8 million in purse money will be offered over 18 stakes during Keeneland's 2020 spring meet, the track announced Dec. 20.

Three stakes for the April 2-24 spring meet received purse hikes. The Maker's 46 Mile Stakes (G1T) was boosted by $100,000 to $400,000, and the Baird Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) and Giant's Causeway Stakes were increased by $50,000 to $150,000.  

For the second consecutive year, the 16-day spring meet will open on the first Thursday of the month, April 2, with a 3 p.m. ET first post. During the remainder of the season, post time for the first race will be 1:05 p.m. The track is closed Easter Sunday, April 12.

"The opening of Keeneland's spring meet is one of those dates horsemen and fans alike annually circle on their calendars; it generates tremendous excitement given the depth of quality and competition," Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason said. "We are delighted to offer the purse increases, especially for the Maker's 46 Mile, which further emphasizes the race's significance among turf stars early in the season."

Keeneland will present 10 stakes on grass and eight stakes on dirt during the spring meet while showcasing multiple stakes on the first two Saturdays of the season.

Opening day features the second running of the $100,000 Palisades Turf Sprint for 3-year-olds going 5 1/2 furlongs on the grass. On April 3, the $150,000 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania Stakes (G3), a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds, will be run.

Two prominent classic preps will be contested April 4, with the 96th running of the Blue Grass and 83rd running of the Ashland. The 1 1/8-mile Blue Grass, for 3-year-olds, and the 1 1/16-mile Ashland, for 3-year-old fillies, are worth 100 points each to the winners on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks, respectively.

The Blue Grass will be televised by NBC Sports Group along with the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) from Aqueduct Racetrack and Santa Anita Derby (G1) from California.

The early nomination deadline for the Blue Grass and Ashland is Feb. 15. Late nominations are due March 18.

Joining the Blue Grass and Ashland on the April 4 card are the $300,000 Madison Stakes (G1) for older fillies and mares going seven furlongs, the $200,000 Shakertown Stakes (G2T) for 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf, and the $250,000 Commonwealth Stakes (G3) for older horses at seven furlongs.

The four-day opening weekend concludes April 5 with a pair of stakes for 3-year-old fillies: the $200,000 Appalachian Stakes (G2T) Presented by Japan Racing Association at one mile on turf and the $150,000 Beaumont Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select (G3) at the unique "Beard course" distance of seven furlongs and 184 feet on dirt. 

For the remainder of the spring meet, racing will be held Wednesday through Sunday.

Stakes return April 10 with the Maker's 46 Mile for 4-year-olds and up going a mile on turf and the second running of the $100,000 Limestone Turf Sprint Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going 5 1/2 furlongs.

April 11 is another multi-stakes day that features the $350,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T), a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares on the turf, and the $200,000 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. The Lexington, one of the final preps on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, awards 20 Derby qualifying points to the winner. The day's other stakes are the $200,000 Ben Ali Stakes (G3) for older horses racing 1 1/8 miles and the Giant's Causeway, a 5 1/2-furlong turf race for fillies and mares.

Older horses will be showcased in three graded stakes during the final days of the season. The Baird Doubledogdare for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles is set for April 17, followed the next day by the $250,000 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) for older males at 1 1/2 miles on turf. 

The $150,000 Bewitch Stakes (G3T) for fillies and mares racing 1 1/2 miles on the turf is the April 24 closing-day feature.

The full stakes schedule is below: