Keeneland Concludes Spring Meet With Record Wagering

Keeneland successfully closed its 2022 spring meet April 29 with all-sources handle topping $219 million to establish an all-time wagering record for the historic Thoroughbred track. Purses averaged a record $1.147 million daily and fields averaged 9.1 starters per race.

The 15-day spring meet, which began April 8, marked the third consecutive season of record handle at Keeneland, reflecting the quality of racing. 

"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," Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin said. "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."

The 2020 spring meet was canceled with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and attendance was restricted last spring.

On-track wagering this spring totaled $16,190,832, up 75.52% from last spring's $9,224,273. Average daily on-track wagering was $1,079,389.

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. 

Daily purses at Keeneland this spring averaged a record $1,147,834, an increase of 55% over last spring's $739,902.   

Keeneland awarded a record $7.7 million in purses for 19 stakes held this spring, and its primary Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) prep, the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1), was won by Jeff Drown's Zandon .

Other top horses that won graded stakes at Keeneland this spring included Nest , Tawny Port ,  Malathaat , Golden Pal , Channel Cat  , and Shirl's Speight .

Trainer Wesley Ward won 13 races to secure his sixth spring meet title and eighth title overall, edging out Brad Cox with 11 wins. Chad Brown was third with nine victories.

Among jockeys, Tyler Gaffalione earned his first spring meet title and fifth title overall. He led riders with 19 wins, one more than Irad Ortiz Jr. Finishing third with 15 wins was Flavien Prat.

Stonestreet Stables was the leading owner with five wins, while Godolphin was second with four.

Stonestreet won spring stakes at Keeneland with Campanelle  and Ruthin , both of whom are trained by Ward.

Christian Hellmers of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., topped a record field of 279 players who participated in the "Grade 1 Gamble", the signature handicapping contest of Keeneland's spring meet.