Keeneland Meet Ends on a High Note

[Wandering Eyes]

Keeneland concluded its 2018 Fall Meet Saturday with a record all-sources wagering over $144 million. All-sources wagering on live racing at Keeneland (not including whole-card simulcasting at Keeneland) totaled $144,309,944 for the 17-day Fall Meet, which ran Oct. 5-27. The figure surpassed the previous record of $139,660,204 set during the 17-day 2013 Fall Meet. The total increased 18.57 percent from the $121,712,702 posted for last year’s 17-day Fall Meet. Average daily all-sources wagering of $8,488,820 rose 18.57 percent from $7,159,571 in 2017.

“The quality of Keeneland’s racing program is reflected in the record wagering we experienced this Fall,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “Full, competitive race fields representing the nation’s top owners, trainers and jockeys attracted the support of fans across the country. We thank the Central Kentucky community, our horsemen and corporate partners for a very gratifying racing season.”

Keeneland set Fall Meet wagering records for single-day all-sources handle and Pick Four and Pick Five pools on Fall Stars Oct. 6. Total all-sources handle of $17,122,465 surpassed the previous Fall Meet single-day record of $15,926,396 set Oct. 8, 2016. Additionally, Keeneland set Fall Meet wagering records for the Pick Four and Pick Five, both recorded Oct. 8, 2016. The All-Stakes Pick Four handle of $737,408 broke the previous record of $479,166. Wagering on the All-Stakes Pick Five totaled $619,106 to best the former record of $496,723. On-track attendance and wagering fell 10.63 percent to 241,806 from last fall’s near-record 270,555. Average daily attendance was 14,224 versus 15,915 in 2017. On-track wagering totaled $16,419,870, a decrease of 6.69 percent from last year’s $17,597,035. Average daily on-track handle was $965,874 compared to last fall’s $1,035,120.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey won their 21st leading owner title at Keeneland with six wins during the Fall Meet. Eclipse Award winners, the Ramseys are the all-time leading owners at Keeneland by number of races won and meet titles won. Seven-time Eclipse Award winner Todd Pletcher closed the meet with nine wins to claim his fifth leading trainer title at Keeneland. Mike Maker was second with eight victories. Eclipse Award-winning jockeys finished 1-2 in the rider standings. Tyler Gaffalione recorded 15 wins during his first full meet of riding at Keeneland to earn leading rider honors. Finishing second with 12 victories was Julien Leparoux.

 

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