Keeneland's spring meet concluded April 26 with all-sources wagering exceeding $218 million, the third-highest handle in track history.
Average daily purse money of $1.16 million attracted Thoroughbred racing's top stables and jockeys, delivering 16 days of quality racing complemented by community and special events that offered family fun with a philanthropic mission.
"A big thanks to our horsemen and sponsors, the crowds who turned out daily on track and those who watched and wagered on Keeneland across the country," said Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin. "We especially appreciate the cooperation of fans as we navigated the adjustments necessary to hold a race meet during construction of our new paddock building. We are proud this spring meet continued to offer the exceptional race-day experiences and traditions people know and love about Keeneland."
All-sources wagering (not including whole card simulcasting at Keeneland) for the spring meet, held April 5-26, totaled $218,741,501, down 2.5% from last spring's record $224,348,745 for 15 days of racing.
On-track wagering totaled $15,831,087 compared with $15,844,092 in spring 2023.
Despite the declines in overall and average daily wagering, the track did see some individual handle records. On Toyota Blue Grass Day, April 6, all-sources handle for the 11-race card that featured five graded stakes totaled $29,261,346, eclipsing the previous single-day wagering record of $28,137,728 set in 2022.
Single-race win/place/show wagering of $2,576,663 on the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) shattered the 2019 record of $2,068,406. The All Stakes Pick 5 ending with the Blue Grass handled $1,696,981, breaking the 2022 record of $1,539,098.
The Keeneland Turf Pick 3, a wager on the final three turf races daily, set a handle record of $280,308 April 13 to best last fall's mark of $248,094. The wager paid a record $56,593 April 18.
The Daily Double wager established handle records twice during the spring meet: $329,433 on opening day April 5 and $470,988 April 13 to surpass the previous record of $286,255 set April 23, 2022. This spring, Keeneland reduced the takeout on the Daily Double from 22% to 15%.
Keeneland offered a season-record $8.6 million in purses for 19 stakes this spring, headlined by the 100th running of the $995,782 Blue Grass Stakes. Other grade 1 stakes held during the meet were the Ashland Stakes (G1), the Madison Stakes (G1), Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T), and Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T).
Among the memorable moments this spring:
"This was a fun race meet. Having the nation's best horses, trainers and jockeys on the grounds made every day highly competitive and produced many exciting race finishes," said Keeneland vice president of racing Gatewood Bell. "The loyalty of our fans and horsemen and the support of our corporate and horse industry partners play a key role in Keeneland's continued success."
Given the quality of horses and riding talent, the races for leading jockey, trainer, and owner were decided on the final day of the meet.
Irad Ortiz Jr. rode three winners on closing day to boost his meet record to 20 wins and clinch his first Keeneland title. Ortiz enhanced his total with a four-win day April 21 and a three-win day April 5. His stakes wins of the meet came aboard Leslie's Rose in the Ashland, Arzak in the Shakertown Stakes (G2T) and Roses for Debra in the Giant's Causeway Stakes (G3T).
Tyler Gaffalione and Jose Ortiz tied for second with 15 wins each.
Wesley Ward won the first two races on closing day to tally 12 wins for his seventh consecutive and eighth overall spring meet leading trainer title. Ward has won a total of 10 Keeneland titles. His spring meet was highlighted by a victory in the Palisades Stakes with Fandom .
Trainers Chad Brown and Brad Cox tied for second place with eight wins each.
Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin and Fahad bin Khalid's Juddmonte tied with five wins apiece to each earn their third spring meet owner title. Godolphin recorded a fifth Keeneland title overall while earning the aforementioned Milestone Pitcher for having achieved 16 graded stakes wins at Keeneland. Three of Godolphin's wins came in stakes: the Maker's Mark Mile with Master of The Seas, the Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) with Silver Knott , and the Lexington with Encino.
Keeneland partnered with corporate and Thoroughbred industry entities this spring to host special events with philanthropic goals that benefit Central Kentucky community organizations.