Changing Appearances: Breeders’ Cup Comes to Keeneland

Trackside and clubhouse chalets are just some of Keeneland's new facilities in advance of the 2015 Breeders' Cup. (Keeneland photo)
Keeneland Race Course has offered high-caliber racing for nearly 80 years but will host its first Breeders’ Cup World Championships Oct. 30 and 31. Since it was announced 18 months ago, much preparation has gone into readying the track, the facilities, and the surrounding areas for the big event. Whether you’re a Keeneland regular or will be seeing the track for the first time, Keeneland is all new for Breeders’ Cup.
Once you reach Keeneland you’ll notice a different look and feel to the historic racetrack. White chalets adorn the paddock, clubhouse turn and grandstand. Mature oak trees garnish the newly-re-sodded paddock. Purple bunting bedecks the rails. Keeneland is set to host the Breeders’ Cup and has made great changes to ensure it’s done with Keeneland’s usual charm and hospitality. Here are a few things to expect when you arrive.
Tickets and Seating
Keeneland typically gets a crowd of less than 40,000 on its biggest race days, but with Breeders’ Cup and a Triple Crown winner set to grace its stage, several new seating options have been created to accommodate a larger crowd. In addition to the regular reserved seating in the grandstand and clubhouse, chalets, loge boxes and other structures will add reserved seating to accommodate 10,000 more race fans. Some areas typically accessible with a general admission ticket will now become reserved seating. All tickets must be purchased in advance as there will be no on-site purchasing of Breeders’ Cup tickets.
CHALET DINING TABLES

Photo courtesy of Jessie Oswald

A number of new premium chalets have been created around the track and paddock that offer guests a classy setting protected from whatever the weather may hold, while offering all the amenities of Keeneland’s finer dining rooms. The chalets hold premium buffet dining stations, coffee and tea stations, and full-size bars, plus betting windows, multiple TVs and dining tables. Bathroom trailers, often used at other large, outdoor sporting events, offer restricted access to chalet guests.
The Saddling Paddock Chalet was installed about a year ago and overlooks the entire length of the Keeneland paddock. The 9,840 square foot space will seat 548 guests.
CHALET BAR

Photo courtesy of Jessie Oswald
Two Clubhouse Lawn Chalets are located next to the Clubhouse near the top of the stretch. Chalet 1 includes 5,750 square feet of space to accommodate 319 club members and their guests. Chalet 2 is a bit smaller at 3,300 square footage and occupancy of 175.
Two of the larger seating areas created for the Breeders’ Cup attendees are the Trackside Chalets, giving a view of the track from the Clubhouse turn. Trackside Chalet 1 is a two-storied 49,764 square foot space that will hold 2,254 guests. The lower level will house the Trophy Lounge for Breeders’ Cup sponsors, VIPs, ambassadors and other celebrities. The upper level of the chalet houses 11 private suites. Trackside Chalet 2 is the first three-tiered luxury chalet to be featured at a North American sporting event. Its 42,174 square feet of space accommodates six private suites on each level and will seat a total of 1,820.
BETTING WINDOWS IN A CHALET

Photo courtesy of Jessie Oswald
Just below the Grandstand are 217 newly-created Grandstand Loge Boxes. Adding seating for 1,306 guests, each box will seat six. These boxes are not covered and do not include dedicated amenities like the chalets, but do offer access to all you need and include beverage service to your box.
LOGE BOXES

Keeneland photo
Located near the final turn, the Maker’s Mark Bourbon Lounge offers 45,000 square feet of open seating for 3,236 fans. First-come lounge seating, multiple TVs, cash bar and concessions make this a unique place to enjoy the races under the protection of the glassed-in structure. You can also step outside the lounge to catch a race by the rail.
Most of the chalets are sold out for both Friday and Saturday, along with general admission. But if it’s not mandatory that you see a horse or the racetrack, tickets are still available for the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center and The Hill Presented by Sovaro.
Set up much like the chalets with buffet dining stations, betting windows, and cash bar, the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center also includes general admission access to the racetrack, as well as a shuttle to take guests to and from the grandstand.

TRACKSIDE CHALET

Photo courtesy of Jessie Oswald
The Hill is always a popular tailgating destination at Keeneland equipped with a jumbo television screen, betting windows, merchandise tent, food trucks, cash bars and restrooms. For Breeders’ Cup, City BBQ, Papa John’s and a variety of local food trucks will provide food options and several cash bars will be available to wet your whistle. The Hill will also host live music throughout the day including the Bobby Perry Band and iHeart Radio DJs.
Parking
On-site parking at Keeneland will be limited to only those with a pre-paid parking pass (keep in mind, this only applies to Friday and Saturday of Breeders’ Cup). If you show up to Keeneland without one, you’ll be redirected to the Kentucky Horse Park, which offers one of three Park-and-Ride shuttle locations. The Park-and-Ride locations are the Kentucky Horse Park (4089 Iron Works Parkway), Rupp Arena (430 W Vine Street) and Whitaker Bank Ballpark (207 Legends Lane). Tickets can be purchased online in advance for $20 or day-of for $25. Day-of option is only available at the Kentucky Horse Park. Shuttles will depart every 15 minutes and run continuously throughout the day from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If you’d rather not drive at all, Uber and area taxis will also be available.
Food
Some bars and concessions regular Keeneland attendees may be used to accessing will now be ticketed venues, like the second floor Sports Bar or the first floor Brats and Brews. However, there will still be plenty of concession and beverage locations accessible to all. A few new food additions you can expect to find for Breeders’ Cup include various smoked meats like brisket and chicken, a butter cake made in conjunction with Lexington’s Martine’s Pastries, plus ice cream from local producer Crank & Boom.
Travel Tips
No doubt when fans arrive at Keeneland Oct. 30 and 31, things will be different. But with a little preparation, it should be as easy to navigate as it is Blue Grass Stakes Day. Some key things to remember:
1. Buy your admission ticket and parking pass in advance
2. Make sure you check the list of what you can and cannot bring into the racetrack and on the Hill
3. You cannot go above your ticket access (i.e., if you have a general admission ticket you can’t go up to the second floor, but if you have a second floor ticket, you can go down to general admission)
4. Download the Keeneland Race Day app before you leave the house. In addition to entries, real-time results, and expert tips, it includes an interactive map to help you navigate the Keeneland grounds.
The best is yet to come with Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland!