Keeneland Spring Meet Sets Record with $8.1M Stakes, Celebrates 100th Blue Grass

Kentucky’s Keeneland is set to host an extraordinary 2024 Spring Meet, offering a season-record total of $8.1 million for 19 stakes races. This prestigious event, running from April 5 to 26, will be a momentous occasion, celebrating the 100th running of the illustrious $1 million Blue Grass Stakes (G1).

Historic Moment in Horse Racing!

Keeneland’s Spring Meet to offer a record-breaking $8.1M in stakes and commemorate the centennial of the Blue Grass Stakes.

This season’s Spring Meet at Keeneland is not just about the races; it’s a celebration of a century of the Blue Grass Stakes, a cornerstone event in the world of horse racing. The total prize money, augmented by $1.5 million from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission), underscores the significance and the grandeur of this annual event.

Alongside the Blue Grass Stakes, other Grade 1 races such as the Ashland, Madison, Maker’s Mark Mile, and Jenny Wiley, each worth $600,000, will add to the meet’s allure. These high-stakes races promise thrilling competition and showcase the best of thoroughbred racing.

Mark your calendars for an unmissable event at Keeneland! Experience the pinnacle of horse racing and be part of a historic celebration.

Gatewood Bell, Keeneland’s Vice President of Racing, expressed his excitement: “With lucrative purses and elite competition, Keeneland’s Spring Meet is a marquee event for horsemen, horseplayers, and fans. We eagerly anticipate welcoming the nation’s finest horses and their connections this April.”

In related news, Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) in Kentucky has inaugurated the Derby City Gaming Downtown (DCG Downtown), representing a significant $90 million investment. As CDI’s sixth historical racing machine (HRM) venue in Kentucky, the grand opening was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a generous $40,000 donation to the Norton Healthcare Foundation and The Hope Buss.

Keeneland’s 2024 Spring Meet and the opening of DCG Downtown highlight Kentucky’s prominent status in the horse racing world. These events not only celebrate the sport’s rich heritage but also contribute to the community, blending thrilling sports action with social responsibility. As we approach these exciting events, the anticipation builds for what promises to be a landmark season in horse racing history.