Keeneland Spring Meet 2023: What to know about this month's 19 stakes races in Lexington
Horse racing fans from around Kentucky will shift their focus to Lexington over the next three weeks as Keeneland’s popular Spring Meet will open Friday.
The 15-day meet will feature 19 stakes races, including five Grade 1 races, worth $8.05 million.
“For Central Kentucky and fans of thoroughbred racing around the world, April means Keeneland,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “We are excited once again to offer world-class racing to horsemen, horsewomen, horseplayers and fans.”
Opening weekend features major preps for the Kentucky Oaks — Friday’s $600,000, Grade 1 Central Bank Ashland — and the Kentucky Derby — Saturday’s $1 million, Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass. Both offer 200 qualifying points, virtually assuring the first-place finishers spots in the Oaks on May 5 and the Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs.
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Here's what to know about the meet:
Schedule: 15 days from April 7-28. No racing Mondays, Tuesdays and Easter Sunday (April 9).
Gates open: 11 a.m. EST
First race: 1 p.m. except for Saturday (12:30 p.m.).
Livestream/TV: All races can be watched for free at Keeneland.com, the Keeneland Race Day App, Keeneland Select and Keeneland’s YouTube channel. TVG will handle TV coverage, and NBC will televise Saturday’s Blue Grass.
Tickets: All general admission ($7), reserved seat ($15/$25 on Saturdays) and dining tickets ($30 and up) must be purchased at tickets.Keeneland.com or on the Keeneland Race Day App.
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Here are three more things to know about the meet:
Sunday tailgating on The Hill
Previously restricted to Fridays and Saturdays, tailgating on The Hill will now be permitted on Sundays.
No ticket or reservation is required for The Hill, located adjacent to the Keene Barn & Entertainment Center and accessible via Gate 1 (at Man o’ War Blvd.) or Gate 4 (off Van Meter Road on the east side of Keeneland).
Fans on The Hill can watch the racing action via a jumbo TV and place their bets in a wagering tent while they enjoy live music presented by The Burl and food trucks. Complimentary shuttles to the track are offered. New on Saturdays on The Hill is the Smoke Easy Mobile Cigar Lounge, which will have cigars available for purchase.
Visit Keeneland.com/tailgating for more details.
All-stakes Pick 5 on Saturday
Saturday’s card will include an all-stakes Pick 5 starting with the $300,000, Grade 3 Commonwealth in Race 5 and finishing with the Blue Grass in Race 9.
Other stakes races involved are the $400,000, Grade 2 Appalachian (Race 6), the $600,000, Grade 1 Madison (Race 7) and the $350,000, Grade 2 Shakertown (Race 8).
The minimum Pick 5 bet is 50 cents.
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Jockey autographs
On Friday, fans can meet active and retired Keeneland riders and Hall of Famers in an event that benefits the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Signings will take place outside the walking ring from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
On April 23, the fundraising PDJF Telethon will be based in the Limestone Cafe in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Keeneland Spring Meet 2023: Kentucky Derby prep races in Lexington
