Keeneland Fall Meet: Record purses, new wagering, tickets and dining options

Janet Patton
·4 min read

Lexington’s Thoroughbred racetrack is ready to run. Keeneland’s 17-day fall meet opens Oct. 6-Oct. 28 with record prize money for racehorses and new wagering options.

The track will offer $9.05 million in purses, including $5.55 million that will be awarded to during the opening Fall Stars Weekend, one of the biggest weekends in horse racing.

All races take place Wednesday through Sunday; there is no racing at the Lexington track at 4201 Versailles Rd. on Monday or Tuesday.

Gates will open at 11 a.m. Post time for the first race each day will be 1 p.m. ET; all races will be livestreamed on Keeneland.com.

More information and a guide for how to plan your visit is online at Keeneland.com/welcome, as well a map of Keeneland’s concesssions stands and dining options. Most seated dining areas will be sold out.

The Keeneland paddock is a popular place for race fans to take pictures. General admission is $7 on Wednesday and Thursday; $10 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s $15 for opening weekend.
The Keeneland paddock is a popular place for race fans to take pictures. General admission is $7 on Wednesday and Thursday; $10 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s $15 for opening weekend.

How to buy tickets to Keeneland

Tickets (even general admission) must be purchased in advance online at tickets.Keeneland/racing or on the Keeneland Race Day App. Grandstand and dining room ticket inventory is updated automatically; Keeneland offers a return policy up to 48 hours in advance, so you might get lucky.

General admission is $7 on Wednesday and Thursday; $10 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s $15 for opening weekend. You can also buy a $50 season pass.

The paddock area on opening day of the 2022 Fall Meet at Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, Ky., Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. The paddock is a popular area for race fans to take in the beauty of the Lexington track.
The paddock area on opening day of the 2022 Fall Meet at Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, Ky., Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. The paddock is a popular area for race fans to take in the beauty of the Lexington track.

Reserved grandstand seating (when available) is $15 Wednesday and Thursday, $25 Friday, Saturday and Sunday and $30 on opening weekend.

You don’t need to buy tickets for the free tailgating area, The Hill, which is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It has a betting tent, jumbo TV, live music and food trucks. You can reserve larger areas and book amenities at Keeneland.com/tailgating. And you can catch a shuttle up to the track.

Special, new betting options at Keeneland

Although sports wagering has recently begun in Kentucky, Keeneland has not opened an on-site facility. However, if you’re a customer on a sports wagering betting app, you can bet online anywhere.

Online wagering also is offered on horseracing through Keeneland Select at the track or anywhere.

Fans and horse trainers including Allen Hardy watched horses train at Keeneland.
Fans and horse trainers including Allen Hardy watched horses train at Keeneland.

The Fall Stars Weekend, which will help determine the fields for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in November at Santa Anita, also will have a new Breeders’ Cup Pick 6 wager this year. It will feature a total of six “Win and You’re In Races” – three from Keeneland and three from Santa Anita.

This joins Pick 4 and Pick 5 options, as well as the Keeneland Turf Pick 3, the Super High Five offered the final race each day, and many more. There also will be several handicapping events Oct 11, 13 and 14 for beginners and for experts.

For 86 years, it’s been a ‘grits and gossip’ breakfast must with a side of horses

Calendar: Fan favorite events at Keeneland racetrack

The meet also will include special events for fans, including:

▪ Sunrise Trackside free morning program each Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. on the first floor of the grandstand. A special Halloween Sunrise is planned for Oct. 28.

▪ Make-A-Wish Day will be Oct. 12; local Thoroughbred farms and organizations team up with Keeneland to grant wishes for the children, who are treated to a VIP experience at the track with their families, including presenting trophies after each race. Fans also can make donations in the “Wishing Well” near the Keeneland Paddock.

▪ College Scholarship Day will be Oct. 13; full-time college students are invited to the races. They can pre-register to win scholarships.

▪ Keeneland Kids Club Family Day will be Oct. 15. Kids 12 and under and join and get free general admission and access to reserved grandstand seating, with children’s activities on the North Terrace 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It’s a tradition for a giant flag to be draped out on the track at Keeneland on Heroes Day.
It’s a tradition for a giant flag to be draped out on the track at Keeneland on Heroes Day.

▪ Heroes Day will be Oct. 22; members of the military (active duty and veterans), first responders and health-care works and their families can get free admission. A Family Zone will offer free lunch and children’s activities 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

▪ Jockey Autograph Signing will be Oct. 27. Line up to meet active and retired Keeneland riders and Hall of Famers in a benefit for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Signing takes place near the walking ring 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

▪ Teacher Appreciation Day is Oct. 28; educators and staff get free admission with valid ID.