Three Years In, Keeneland BETologist Program Thriving

The BETologist program at Keeneland has inspired similar programs at tracks across the country. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
If you’ve ever walked into Keeneland during its meets, you’ve probably seen a group of people in green wearing a button that says “Ask me about betting.” As their button says, Keeneland’s BETologists are there to help visitors at the track learn everything about betting from what to look for when looking at horses in the paddock to how to place a bet.
The BETologist program started after Keeneland Select manager Jonathan Fowler’s first few meets at the track in 2012 when he saw the need for a program to help with fan betting education.
“My first meet was in April 2012 and my main job was to manage Keeneland Select, our online betting website,” Fowler said. “During the meet I would assist with signing customers up for the site but through the first two meets, my team and I would assist people with their questions about the program and betting. I then sat down with other team members at Keeneland and explained what was happening. We decided then to start the BETologist program to assist our patrons wanting to learn more about our sport.”
It didn’t take long for the BETologist program to get started with the program making its debut at the spring 2013 meet. While BETologists are there primarily to help people make bets and learn more about handicapping, they also play a bigger customer service role in helping people find anything they need around the track from restrooms to the nearest place that sells Keeneland’s famous burgoo.
Some of the characteristics the BETologist team looks for when hiring new people for the program each meet are those who are passionate about racing, friendly and want to help people learn more about the sport. A big part of the program’s success is having people who are willing to answer anything a fan may ask so personality plays a large part in becoming a BETologist.
“I’ve always said that I can’t teach people to be nice but I can teach them how to wheel an exacta. So personality is a key,” Fowler said. “I’ve heard so many times from BETologists that have worked for me that they cannot believe they get paid to be a BETologist. It’s because they are having so much fun teaching people about something they are so passionate about. To have fun, in a beautiful environment, with so much excitement really is not something everyone can say they’ve done in their life. It’s worth doing.”
BETOLOGISTS' RACE MEET HEADQUARTERS, WAGERING CENTRAL

Photo courtesy of Coady Photography/Keeneland
Former BETologist Carly Kaiser is one of those who enjoyed her time as a BETologist during the fall 2014 meet. Before becoming a BETologist, Kaiser was a tour guide at the Kentucky Derby Museum and her experience there encouraged her to apply at Keeneland.
“I absolutely loved [being a BETologist]. Not only was it a fun gig as a race fan, but it seemed useful,” she said. “We had people stationed all over the place. Walking around and going up to certain events if they requested us. My buddy Tom and I were the BETologists for Rood and Riddle when they came so we just stayed with them all day. People asked all kinds of questions, and being able to simplify it all was fun. Just look at the program, if you don't know what you're reading it is hard to understand! We had guides and references for people to take and use, it was cool. It's been very successful and tracks all over are starting to create similar programs.”
Keeneland has many job openings before every meet and the BETologist position is promoted to try and bring in the best group of educators it can get. The program is full of people of all ages with the spring 2016 crew ranging in age from 18 to 65 with each person bringing different life experiences to the team.
For those who are interested in applying for BETologist positions at future meets, Kaiser strongly recommends giving it a try.
“I thought it was so much fun. It was 15 or so people, all race fans enjoying the races, knowing what they're talking about and it was people of all ages. From college students to retirees,” she said. “Just a great group of people and the two in charge of it, Jonathan Fowler and Jennifer Bayer, are great managers and organized it all very well. It's only for the three week meet, it's a lot of fun, I really do recommend it to anyone who can do it. Wish I could do it some more!” 
This spring’s Keeneland meet runs from April 8 to 29 with the fall meet taking place from October 7 to 29. While the BETologist positions for the spring meet are already filled, those interested in becoming a BETologist in the fall can check Keeneland’s job postings closer to the October meet.