Keeneland Race Course
The most prestigious boutique racetrack in North America, located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Country. Keeneland hosts two short, high-quality meets each year — the Spring Meet in April and the Fall Meet in October — alongside its world-famous thoroughbred sales operation.
COUNTER-CLOCKWISE (LEFT-HANDED)
EST. 1936
About Keeneland Race Course
The most prestigious boutique racetrack in North America, located in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Country. Keeneland hosts two short, high-quality meets each year — the Spring Meet in April and the Fall Meet in October — alongside its world-famous thoroughbred sales operation. Keeneland Race Course is located at 4201 Versailles Road, Lexington, KY 40510.
Blue Grass Stakes, early April
The most important Kentucky Derby prep race in Kentucky itself. The 1 1/8-mile Grade 1 carries 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the winner and a $1 million purse. Past Blue Grass winners include Strike the Gold, Justify and Authentic, the last two of whom went on to win the Kentucky Derby.
Meets & featured races
Keeneland runs two short, boutique-quality meets each year: a 17-day Spring Meet in April and a 17-day Fall Meet in October. The Spring Meet features the Blue Grass Stakes (a major Kentucky Derby prep); the Fall Meet features the Spinster Stakes and a championship-quality program. Keeneland has hosted the Breeders’ Cup three times.
Blue Grass Stakes (early April)
The Blue Grass Stakes is one of the four major Kentucky Derby prep races, alongside the Florida Derby (Gulfstream), Santa Anita Derby and Arkansas Derby (Oaklawn). The Grade 1 over 1 1/8 miles offers 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the winner and is the most prestigious Kentucky-based Derby trial.
Spinster Stakes (early October)
The Spinster is the year’s premier dirt race for older fillies and mares, run over 1 1/8 miles in early October. The Grade 1 routinely produces the Breeders’ Cup Distaff favorite. Past winners include Songbird, Forever Unbridled and Letruska.
Maker’s Mark Mile (mid-April)
The Maker’s Mark Mile is the spring meet’s premier turf race, a Grade 1 over one mile on grass for older horses. Strong field for the early-season turf division each year.
Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland
Keeneland has hosted the Breeders’ Cup three times (2015, 2020, 2022). The intimate setting and championship-quality dirt and turf surfaces make it one of the most popular Breeders’ Cup venues among horsemen.
Live races at Keeneland
Upcoming races at this track
Live racecards pulled from our North American racing data feed, refreshed throughout the day.
No scheduled meets at this track in the next 14 days.
Check the Racing Predictor for today's races at other US tracks, or visit Racing Data for past results and statistics.
Blue Grass Stakes — key trends
Bet on Keeneland with AmWager
AmWager is one of the most trusted online wagering platforms in the United States, offering coverage of every major US track including Keeneland. New customers receive a 100% deposit match up to $50 when they sign up with bonus code AMWAGER.
Track statistics & betting angles
1 1/16 mile dirt main track and a 7 1/2-furlong inner turf course. Keeneland switched from polytrack to dirt in 2014, restoring the surface that hosted classic American racing for decades.
Keeneland opened in 1936 and is renowned for its preserved limestone architecture and emphasis on traditional racing values. The track operates without a traditional public-address announcer for portions of the day.
Only 17 days per meet means each card features deep, competitive racing. Major trainers concentrate their best stock for Keeneland windows; throwaway maiden races are rare.
Wesley Ward dominates the Keeneland two-year-old stakes program. Chad Brown is the leading turf trainer; Brad Cox and Todd Pletcher both have strong overall records.
How to watch Keeneland racing
FOX Sports has expanded its Keeneland coverage with weekend programming throughout both meets. NBC Sports broadcasts the Blue Grass Stakes. FanDuel TV and TVG provide live daily coverage. For race-by-race picks, the horse.bet Racing Predictor publishes daily Keeneland analysis the morning of racing.
Visiting Keeneland
Keeneland is in Lexington, Kentucky, about 7 miles west of downtown. The track is accessible by car via I-64 (Exit 115) and is just minutes from Blue Grass Airport. The dress code is more formal than at most American tracks — particularly in the upscale dining areas — reflecting Keeneland’s traditional Kentucky racing atmosphere.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Keeneland meets?
The Spring Meet runs for 17 days in April. The Fall Meet runs for 17 days in October.
What is the Blue Grass Stakes?
The Blue Grass Stakes is a Grade 1 over 1 1/8 miles on dirt, run in early April. It is the most important Kentucky-based Kentucky Derby prep race, offering 100 Derby qualifying points to the winner.
How can I bet on Keeneland?
AmWager offers wagering on every Keeneland race with a new customer bonus and access to all major US tracks from one account.
Has Keeneland hosted the Breeders’ Cup?
Yes — Keeneland has hosted the Breeders’ Cup three times: 2015, 2020 and 2022.
Where can I find Keeneland picks?
The horse.bet Racing Predictor publishes daily Keeneland picks throughout both meets, with full-field probability ratings.
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