Keeneland Wraps Spring Meet on a High

[Wandering Eyes]

Keeneland concluded its 2018 Spring Meet Friday with all-sources wagering on Keeneland racing totalling $157,172,604 for the 16-day Spring Meet, which ran Apr. 6-27. The figure, which ranked just behind the record of $158,640,591 set during the 16-day 2013 Spring Meet, represented a 14.39% increase over the $137,399,556 recorded during last year’s 15-day Spring Meet. Average daily all-sources wagering of $9,823,288 rose 7.24% from $9,159,970 in 2017.

Keeneland set wagering records for all-sources handle on Toyota Blue Grass Day, April 7. Total all-sources handle was $22,634,861, surpassing the previous record of $21,736,983 set Apr. 9, 2016.

On-track attendance and wagering were just shy of last year’s Spring Meet totals despite inclement weather for the meet’s opening two weekends. Total attendance of 250,475 was nearly even with last spring’s 252,247. Average daily attendance of 15,655 was just short of the 16,816 in 2017.

On-track wagering this spring was $17,457,750 compared to $17,668,979 last spring. Average daily on-track handle was $1,091,109 versus $1,177,932 in 2017.

“This was an exceptionally successful Spring Meet in so many ways–from near-record handle to robust attendance and racing of the highest caliber,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “Mother Nature threw us a curve ball or two, but the sometimes inclement weather never dampened the tremendous enthusiasm of our fans. We are extremely grateful to the community, our horsemen and corporate partners for their tremendous support throughout the spring.”

Heading the divisional leaders, a trio of owners registered four victories each during the spring meet: Marc Detampel, G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and Ken and Sarah Ramsey. In the training division, Wesley Ward and Brad Cox tied for the top spot with 13 wins each, while Florent Geroux amassed the most wins for a jockey with 19 victories. It was both Geroux and Detampel’s first Keeneland titles.

 

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