Keeneland Ends With Handle, Attendance Gains

Keeneland concluded its spring meeting April 29, and reported gains in attendance and on-track and all-sources wagering.

The Lexington track, whose 16-day spring meet spanned April 8-29, credited full fields and competitive racing for double-digit gains in on-track and all-sources wagering. On-track handle of $17,974,896 outpaced last spring's $16,142,325 by 11.35%. Average daily on-track handle increased 4.39% from $1,076,155 to $1,123,431.

All-sources wagering of $145,592,372 saw significant growth, up 23.79% from last year's $117,617,108. Average daily all-sources handle rose 16.05% from $7,841,141 to $9,099,523.

Keeneland registered an all-time single-day handle record of $21,736,983 on Toyota Blue Grass Day, April 9. All-sources wagering included $20,805,455 handled on 11 live races; $423,679 wagered on the Big Apple/Bluegrass Pick 4; and on-track simulcast handle of $507,849. The record bested the previous mark of $21,647,378 set on 2012 Blue Grass Day.

Keeneland recorded its fourth-highest spring meet attendance, which totaled 262,197 for the 2016 spring season. Attendance increased 4.69% from the 250,451 posted during last year's 15-day spring meet. Average daily attendance of 16,387 dipped slightly from 16,697 in 2015.

Attendance of 38,863 on Saturday, April 16, represented the largest Coolmore Day figure in track history and third-largest non-Breeders' Cup crowd at Keeneland. The following Saturday, April 23, drew 32,731 fans who enjoyed a classic spring afternoon featuring the Dixiana Elkhorn (gr. II).

"The momentum from last fall's Breeders' Cup carried forward to this spring and contributed to so many positives during this race meet," Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason said. "The loyalty of our fans and horsemen and the strong support of our corporate and media partners are very gratifying. These relationships are key to Keeneland's success."

Purses for the spring meet continued to rank among the nation's highest, averaging $624,083 compared to last spring's $652,934. Average starters per race was 8.4 versus 8.1 in 2015.

The spring meet also featured the presence of champion Nyquist, the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). Winner of the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Keeneland last fall, Nyquist trained at Keeneland throughout April, turning in his final Derby work on closing day, April 29.

"One of our goals in hosting the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland was to further enhance the quality of racing during our spring and fall meets," Keeneland vice president of racing W.B. Rogers Beasley said. "It's very rewarding to see these great champions come back to Keeneland and thrill fans once again."   

Beasley will retire this summer following a distinguished 34-year career during which he has played key roles in establishing Keeneland's position as the world's premier Thoroughbred auction house and strengthening the track's lucrative racing program.

Multiple Eclipse Award winners Ken and Sarah Ramsey won nine races to claim their 17th leading owner title at Keeneland. They have won or shared eight spring meet titles (2004, 2006, 2010-2013, 2015-2016) and nine fall meet titles (2000, 2002, 2007-2009, 2012-2015).

The Ramseys rank as Keeneland's all-time leading owners in terms of titles won (17 versus 14 held by T. A. Grissom) and most wins (205).

G. Watts Humphrey Jr., both singly and in partnership with Ian Banwell's St. George Farm, notched four wins to finish second in the owner standings.

With 13 wins, Michael Maker earned his fourth Keeneland leading trainer title, having won previously in the spring and fall of 2013, and in the fall of 2008.

Wesley Ward finished second in the standings with eight wins. Mark Casse was third with seven wins.

Javier Castellano edged out Corey Lanerie in a race for the Keeneland riding title that went down to the final day of the meet. In the end, Castellano accumulated 17 victories to earn his second Keeneland title, his first coming in the 2015 spring meet.

Lanerie  closed the meet with 16 wins, and Julien Leparoux, finished third in the standings with 14 victories.