The meet began on a Thursday for the first time in 60 years. By opening that Saturday new records were being set and KY Oaks and KY Derby points were being awarded for a berth into the respective races. A record opening Saturday crowd attended April 6th for Blue Grass Stakes Day. Thirty-four thousand people packed in to watch the 11 live races for that Saturday. Nearly $26 million dollars was wagered at Keeneland that day, another record. The total meet handle was over $153 million dollars. Attendance was figured at over 240 thousand. I went several times myself.
The 18 stakes were as follows by race name and winning thoroughbred:
- Palisades Turf Sprint Stakes: Bulletin
- Kentucky Utilities Transylvania Stakes : Avie’s Flatter
- Commonwealth Stakes: Bobby’s Wicked One
- Shakertown Stakes: Imprimis
- Madison Stakes: Spiced Perfection
- Central Baptist Ashland Stakes: Out for a Spin
- Toyota Blue Grass Stakes: Vekoma
- Beaumont Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select: Fancy Dress Party
- Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association: The Mackem Bullet
- Limestone Turf Sprint Stakes: Ginger Nut
- Maker’s 46 Mile: Delta Prince
- Ben Ali Stakes: Bourbon Resolution
- Giant’s Causeway Stakes: Morticia
- Stonestreet Lexington Stakes: Owendale
- Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes: Rushing Fall
- Hillard Lyon’s-Baird Doubledogdare Stakes: Electric Forest
- Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes: Bigger Picture
- Bewitch Stakes: Ickymasho
Blue Grass Stakes win and place finishers Vekoma and Win Win Win are probables for the Kentucky Derby. Out for a Spin won her KY Oaks berth in the Ashland. While second and third place finishers Restless Rider and Jay Walk are in the top 10 of the KY Oaks contenders too.
Meanwhile, the connections won several titles as well. Among the owners there was a 4 way tie. Each of the winning owners won 3 races at this Keeneland Meet. e-Five Racing Thoroughbreds, Hronis Racing, Juddmonte Farms and Three Diamonds Farm were all very successful at Keeneland. One of the trainers had the most wins. It was Wesley Ward with 11 first place finishes this meet. With a fantastic 15 wins, Florent Geroux was the best jockey of this meet.
Moreover, I am thrilled that during the meet, long term Keeneland President and Breeders’ Cup President, James E. “Ted” Bassett was elected as a National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Pillars of the Turf inductee. I am so happy to see him add another prestigious award/title to his vast collection.
It is always sad to see the Keeneland meet end but ever so exciting to see how it perfectly proceeds into the next week of Kentucky Racing, the first jewels in the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred horse racing. I am very eager for the KY Oaks and the KY Derby. Check back for my thoughts on Derby Day 2019. The April showers we experienced at Keeneland this meet naturally lead to the best flowers in May, the 145th Run for the Roses!