Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet opens Friday, Oct. 6 with the start of Fall Stars Weekend, three days of exceptional Thoroughbred racing that will help determine the fields for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships and the contenders for Eclipse Awards as North American champions. The Fall Meet, which runs through Saturday, Oct. 28, will offer record prize money to North America’s leading horses and horsemen along with inviting wagering offerings for horseplayers and exciting special events for fans. 

Keeneland will present 22 stakes worth a record $9.05 million, which includes $1.3 million from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF). A total of $5.55 million of that amount will be awarded during 11 stakes on Fall Stars Weekend, eight of which are part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. Winners of those races will earn an automatic and free entry to the 40^th Breeders’ Cup Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita.

The Fall Meet continues a noteworthy run at Keeneland, which has established records for all-sources handle for the past five consecutive race meets while raising stakes purses to new heights. All-sources wagering during the 15-day Spring Meet in April was $224 million, a record for the Spring season at the track.

Post time for the first race each day of the Fall Meet is 1 p.m. ET, and all races will be livestreamed on Keeneland.com. Complimentary Equibase past performances will be available to download.

Advance ticket sales available

All tickets to Keeneland for the Spring Meet must be purchased in advance via Keeneland’s Official Online Ticket Office at tickets.Keeneland.com/racing or on the Keeneland Race Day App.

Keeneland offers a return policy of up to 48 hours in advance of race day. Because ticket inventory is updated automatically and available for purchase at tickets.Keeneland.com/racing, fans should check the official ticketing site regularly.

No ticket or reservation is required for Keeneland’s popular free tailgating area, The Hill, which is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Fans on The Hill can watch the races on a jumbo TV and place their bets in a wagering tent while they enjoy a festive atmosphere with live music presented by The Burl and food trucks. Complimentary shuttles to the track are available.

Fans who wish to elevate their tailgating experience can book a premium package that includes tent, tables, amenities, reserved area for the day and more with REVELxp, the official tent partner for organized tailgates. Visit Keeneland.com/tailgating for details.

For helpful tips and tools to assist fans during their day at the races, Keeneland offers a Patron Experience Guide to review before arriving at the track.

Bank of America, John Deere join Keeneland team

Keeneland recently announced that Bank of America, one of the world’s leading financial institutions, and John Deere, the official equipment supplier of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the equine industry since 2001, have joined Keeneland as a race sponsor and partner, respectively.

Bank of America will sponsor the $300,000 Valley View Stakes (G3), a 1-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies that will be run Friday, Oct. 27.

John Deere|Meade Tractor’s involvement in the Fall Meet will include Sunrise Trackside, the free family-friendly event on Saturdays from 8-10 a.m. The John Deere Tractor Break will be featured at approximately 8:30 a.m. In addition, children and adults can play games to win John Deere merchandise in conjunction with Meade Tractor.

Races available online and on TV 

Fans can watch all Fall Meet races live and at no charge thanks to the Keeneland Livestream on Keeneland.com, Keeneland Race Day App, Keeneland Select and Keeneland’s YouTube channel.

Other coverage of Keeneland racing includes:

• “Today at Keeneland.” This 30-minute preview show includes handicapping picks and discussion of horses of interest. Racing analysts Caton Bredar and Scott Hazelton host the program, which airs live at 11:30 a.m. every race day on Keeneland.com, Keeneland Select, Keeneland’s YouTube Channel, WKYT.com and FanDuel+. Also airs live on The CW Lexington. 
• FanDuel TV. Live, extensive coverage of every Keeneland race begins at 1 p.m.
• CNBC coverage. The “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In” will feature live coverage of seven Fall Stars stakes on Oct. 7-8. On Oct. 7, CNBC’s program from 4-6 p.m. will include the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), the First Lady (G1) Presented by UK HealthCare, the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1). The next day, CNBC will present the Indian Summer (L) Presented by Keeneland Select, the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) and the Castle & Key Bourbon (G2) from 4-6 p.m.
  
  

Opening Saturday features new Breeders’ Cup Pick 6 wager

Fall Stars Weekend will kick off a slate of wagering action that will appeal to casual and experienced handicappers.

On Oct. 6, the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2), the Jessamine (G2) Presented by Keeneland November and the Darley Alcibiades (G1) will be included in late Pick 4 and late Pick 5 wagers. 

On Oct. 7, the All Stakes Pick 4 and All Stakes Pick 5 will conclude with the Coolmore Turf Mile (G1). New this year is the Breeders’ Cup Pick 6, which will feature a total of six “Win and You’re In Races” – three from Keeneland and three from Santa Anita.

On Oct. 8, the late Pick 4 and late Pick 5 will include the Indian Summer (L) Presented by Keeneland Select, the Juddmonte Spinster (G1) and the Castle & Key Bourbon (G2).

Other wagers and competitions during the season include the Keeneland Turf Pick 3, which requires a $3 minimum and is offered on the final three turf races each day; the Super High Five, which is offered on the final race each day; and the New York Racing Association’s Cross Country wager on Saturdays, which will include Keeneland races.

Additional handicapping events during the Fall Meet include:

• Wednesday, Oct. 11, 18, 25: WINS-Day Challenge Presented by Malone’s. This is an inexpensive way for beginner handicappers to give contests a try. Enter for $10 at Wagering Central on the first floor of the Grandstand and place a mythical $2 win and place wager – no actual money required – on the final six Keeneland races of the day. First 200 participants receive a free Daily Racing Form and appetizer card from Malone’s.
• Friday, Oct. 13: Fall $400 Challenge. Registration is open for Keeneland’s live bankroll handicapping tournament, which has a $400 buy-in. Players will wager a live bankroll of $250 on any or all races at Keeneland with no minimums per race. One Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge berth and as many as four National Horseplayers Championship spots are up for grabs. Click here for more information. Players may register the day of the contest.
• Saturday, Oct. 14: $3,500 Fall BCBC/NHC Challenge. Registration is open for in-person and remote participation in this live-money contest that Keeneland is holding in cooperation with XpressBet, NYRA Bets, 4NJ Bets, HPI and TVG. Click here for details and to register. The entry fee is $3,500, with $2,500 going to the live bankroll and $1,000 to the prize fund. Players must wager a minimum of $400 in at least five races at Keeneland and wager a minimum total of $2,500. Prizes include cash and as many as six Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge berths and 10 NHC spots (based on number of entries).

Special events are fan favorites

In addition to presenting outstanding Thoroughbred racing, Keeneland has scheduled a full calendar of special events during the Fall Meet with special meaning because they continue the track’s mission to promote the industry and support the Central Kentucky community: 

Saturday, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28: Sunrise Trackside. This free morning program is geared toward families with a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Coffee, hot chocolate, donuts and sausage biscuits will be available to enjoy at The Starting Gate concession stand. Children’s activities (including a visit with Keeneland mascot Buckles, face painting, games and jockey silk photos) will take place from 8-10 a.m. on the first floor of the Grandstand. The John Deere Tractor Break will begin at approximately 8:30 a.m. A meet and greet with a horse will take place from 8:30-9 a.m. in the Walking Ring. Guests can learn more about Keeneland by joining a complimentary mini tour. Visit the Tours Podium located near the Paddock area for more information.  This event is open to the public and does not require a ticket to attend. A special Halloween edition of Sunrise Trackside will take place Oct. 28.

Thursday, Oct. 12: Make-A-Wish Day. This is the 16^th year for the event, the culmination of a rewarding experience for a special group of deserving children. Local Thoroughbred farms and organizations team up with Keeneland to grant wishes for the children, who with their families are treated to a VIP experience, complete with presenting a trophy after each race, meeting jockeys and experiencing the excitement of a day at the races. Fans are encouraged to support Make-A-Wish® Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana by placing a donation into the “Wishing Well” near the Keeneland Paddock. 

Friday, Oct. 13: College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane’s End. Full-time college students are invited to enjoy a day at the races, prizes, scholarship giveaways, behind-the-scenes racing experiences, reserved seating and more. Students who pre-register are eligible to win one of ten $2,000 scholarships provided by Keeneland and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association. Students who attend the race day and have their tickets scanned day-of also will be eligible to win two additional scholarships provided by Lane’s End Farm as week as prize packages from local Kentucky businesses. Pre-register at Keeneland.com/csd.

Sunday, Oct. 15: Keeneland Kids Club Family Day Presented by Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The Keeneland Kids Club is the Official Kids Club for fans 12 and younger. Kids Club members and their families are invited to enjoy this special day at the races with free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating when they present their membership cards at admission gates. Children’s activities will take place in the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include local community partners.

Sunday, Oct. 22: Heroes Day. Heroes Day honors members of the military (active duty and veterans) and first responders (law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs and health care workers) and their families with free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seats. The Family Zone will offer free lunch provided by City BBQ and children’s activities for those families in the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Keeneland will showcase a POW-MIA Chair of Honor to bring awareness to past and current POW-MIA military members through a partnership with The Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 5. Heroes Day also will feature a flag unfurling on the main track between races, and local heroes will be recognized in the Winner’s Circle throughout the afternoon.

Friday, Oct. 27: Jockey Autograph Signing. Fans will meet active and retired Keeneland riders and Hall of Famers in an event that benefits the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Signing takes place near the Walking Ring from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..

Saturday, Oct. 28: Teacher Appreciation Day. Keeneland will honor educators and staff by granting free admission with a valid ID. Teachers only will receive free admission; guests are encouraged to purchase tickets only ahead of time at tickets.keeneland.com. 

Keeneland Pale Ale benefits Blue Grass Farms Charities 

Keeneland and Country Boy Brewing of Lexington again have teamed to produce Keeneland Pale Ale, which is available around Kentucky and will be sold at the track in cans and on draft. Country Boy Brewing, Kentucky Eagle and other distributor partners will donate $1 per case to Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC) to support its Back-to-School Backpack Program, which provides school supplies for nearly 1,000 children whose parents work in Keeneland’s stable area and on Central Kentucky farms.

*******************************************************

Keeneland 2023 Fall Meet at a Glance

Schedule: 17 days from Oct. 6-28. No racing Mondays and Tuesdays.

Gates open: 11 a.m.    First race: 1 p.m.

Six Grade 1 races: $600,000 Darley Alcibiades on Oct. 6; $1 million Coolmore Turf Mile, $750,000 First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare and $600,000 Claiborne Breeders Futurity on Oct. 7; $600,000 Juddmonte Spinster on Oct. 8; and $600,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana on Oct. 14.

Watch races: Thanks to the Keeneland Livestream, fans can watch all Fall Meet races live and at no charge on Keeneland.com, Keeneland Race Day App, Keeneland Select and Keeneland’s YouTube page.

Website: Keeneland.com

Patron Experience Guide: Visit Keeneland.com/welcome for this resource to help you make the most of your day at Keeneland.

Keeneland Newsletter: Sign up for email updates of your areas of interest at Keeneland.com/newsletter.

Spanish coverage: Visit Keeneland en Español and DRFenEspañol,com for more information.

Social: @keeneland on Facebook and Instagram and @keenelandracing on X (formerly known as Twitter). Use hashtag #Keeneland 

Official Keeneland Tours: Click here for availability and to purchase. 

The Keeneland Shop: Located near the Grandstand South entrance, The Keeneland Shop is open on race days from 9 a.m. to 30 minutes after the final race and on Mondays and Tuesdays from 
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Finish Line, Milliners Corner and Wagering Central locations will be open race days from 11 a.m. to 30 minutes after final race.

From today through Sunday, Oct. 1, The Keeneland Shop will host “Taste of the Races,” a Fall shopping preview and celebrate racing at Keeneland. Sample Keeneland Lager brewed by Country Boy and munch on the famous Keeneland Brown Butter Kettle Corn while you shop. Receive an exclusive 20% discount on all in-store purchases.

Keeneland Library: Located on Keeneland’s campus, Keeneland Library features the free exhibit The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers through Dec. 8. The Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To reach the Library, enter Keeneland at Gate 1 on Keeneland Blvd. and take the first right on Entertainment Ct. The Library is to the left of the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center.

Sports Betting: Keeneland does not have an on-site Sports Betting facility. Players may go to Red Mile (redmileky.com), where admission is free. Fans also may wager online with the Caesars Sportsbook App. To register for a free account, visit caesars.com/sportsbook-and-casino/welcome or visit Keeneland’s Wagering Central, located trackside on the first floor of the Grandstand.