Keeneland Photo
+ Fields Set For Opening Saturday And Sunday Stakes
+ Special Events Kick Off
Keeneland Release/Edited
LEXINGTON, Ky.—Keeneland’s 16-day Spring Meet opens Friday and runs through Friday, April 26.
Central Bank Thursday Night Live. Keeneland will kick off the Spring Meet with a celebration of the 100th Toyota Blue Grass, including a promotion of Keeneland Library’s exhibit about the race and handicapping tips from BETologists. The event, which includes beverages, food, art and live music, takes place from 5-8 p.m. at Fifth Third Pavilion in Tandy Park in downtown Lexington.
Post positions for Keeneland’s races on Saturday and Sunday were drawn this morning.
Here are the fields for the stakes to be run those days:
Saturday, April 6
Race 6, 3:40 p.m. — $300,000 Commonwealth (G3), 4-year-olds and up, 7 furlongs:
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight |
| 1 | Frat Pack | Whit Beckman | Gerardo Corrales | 118 |
| 2 | Wico (IRE) | Wesley Ward | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 118 |
| 3 | Manny Wah | Will Walden | Flavien Pratt | 118 |
| 4 | Raise Cain | Ben Colebrook | Luis Saez | 118 |
| 5 | Richiesonaroll | Jose Rodriguez | Emmanual Giles | 118 |
| 6 | Bo Cruz | Al Stall Jr. | Jose Ortiz | 118 |
| 7 | Here Mi Song | William Stinson Jr. | Alex Achard | 118 |
| 8 | Call Me Fast | Mike Puhich | Julien Leparoux | 118 |
| 9 | Minnesota Ready | Tom Amoss | Tyler Gaffalione | 118 |
Race 7, 4:14 p.m. — $400,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association, 3-year-old fillies, 1 mile (turf):
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight |
| 1 | Poolside With Slim (IRE) | Rusty Arnold | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 118 lbs. |
| 2 | Living Magic | Phil Schoenthal | Luis Saez | 118 |
| 3 | Dancing N Dixie | Mark Casse | Jose Ortiz | 118 |
| 4 | Grecian Goddess | Chad Brown | Flavien Prat | 118 |
| 5 | Kairyu (IRE) | Cherie DeVaux | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 118 |
| 6 | Austere | Brendan Walsh | Tyler Gaffalione | 118 |
| 7 | Dozen Diamonds | Vicki Oliver | Florent Geroux | 118 |
| 8 | Mo Fox Givin | Leonard Powell | Junior Alvarado | 118 |
| 9 | Buchu | Phil Bauer | Martin Garcia | 120 |
| 10 | Pounce | Mark Casse | Javier Castellano | 118 |
| 11 | Simply in Front | Eddie Kenneally | Paco Lopez | 118 |
| 12 | Crown Imperial | John Ortiz | Julien Leparoux | 110 |
Race 8, 4:48 p.m. — $600,000 Resolute Racing Madison (G1), 4-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, 7 furlongs:
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight |
| 1 | Sterling Silver | Tom Albertrani | Javier Castellano | 123 |
| 2 | Red Carpet Ready | Rusty Arnold | Luis Saez | 123 |
| 3 | Hot and Sultry | Norm Casse | Ricardo Santana Jr. | 123 |
| 4 | Icicles | John Ennis | Edgar Morales | 123 |
| 5 | Maryquitecontrary | Eddie Plesa Jr. | Luca Panici | 123 |
| 6 | Alva Starr | Brett Brinkman | Tyler Gaffalione | 123 |
| 7 | Big Pond | Tim Yakteen | Flavien Prat | 123 |
| 8 | Vahva | Cherie DeVaux | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 123 |
Race 9, 5:20 p.m. — $350,000 Shakertown (G2), 3-year-olds and up, 5½ furlongs (turf):
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight |
| 1 | Eamonn | Joe Orseno | Paco Lopez | 122 |
| 2 | Sosua Summer | Bill Mott | Luis Saez | 122 |
| 3 | Mischief Magic (IRE) | Charles Appleby | Tyler Gaffalione | 122 |
| 4 | Beer Can Man | Phil D’Amato | Flavien Prat | 122 |
| 5 | Bad Beat Brian | Brittany Vanden Berg | Chris Emigh | 122 |
| 6 | Arzak | Mike Trombetta | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 124 |
| 7 | Let My People Go | Vicki Oliver | Martin Garcia | 122 |
| 8 | Front Run the Fed | Caio Caramori | Rey Gutierrez | 122 |
| 9 | Panther Island | Laura Cazares | Leonel Reyes | 122 |
| 10 | Our Shot | John Terranova II | Javier Castellano | 122 |
| 11 | Coppola | Dale Romans | Edgard Zayas | 122 |
| 12 | Yes I Am Free | Laura Cazares | Junior Alvarado | 122 |
| 13 (AE) | Mark of the Z | Jose Rodriguez | Emmanual Giles | 122 |
Race 10, 5:52 p.m. – 100th Running of the $1 Million Toyota Blue Grass (G1), 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 miles:
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Morning Line Odds |
| 1 | Top Conor | Chad Brown | Jose Ortiz | 15-1 |
| 2 | Be You | Todd Pletcher | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 8-1 |
| 3 | Seize the Grey | D. Wayne Lukas | Nik Juarez | 20-1 |
| 4 | Dornoch | Danny Gargan | Luis Saez | 3-1 |
| 5 | Good Money | Chad Brown | Javier Castellano | 20-1 |
| 6 | Just a Touch | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux | 7-2 |
| 7 | Lat Long | Kenny McPeek | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 30-1 |
| 8 | Epic Ride | John Ennis | Adam Beschizza | 20-1 |
| 9 | Mugatu | Jeff Engler | Joe Talamo | 30-1 |
| 10 | Sierra Leone | Chad Brown | Tyler Gaffalione | 2-1 |
| 11 | Encino | Brad Cox | Flavien Prat | 12-1 |
All starters carry 123 pounds.
First post is at 1 p.m. ET except April 26, when the first race is at 12:30 p.m. Keeneland is closed for racing Mondays and Tuesdays.
Sunrise Trackside. This free Saturday morning program from 8-10 a.m. is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Fans can enjoy coffee and donuts at the Starting Gate concession stand while watching horses train. Children’s activities on the first floor of the Grandstand will include a visit with Keeneland mascot Buckles, face painting and games. Mini tours will be available at the Welcome Stand near the Paddock.
The John Deere Tractor Break will take place during the renovation period on the main track from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and include a drawing for a kid’s tractor from John Deere/Meade Tractor. The April 6 Sunrise Trackside will feature the appearance of two-time champion Goodnight Olive in the Paddock between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. On April 6 and 13, a meet and greet with a horse from the Life Adventure Center of Versailles, Kentucky, will be offered in the Walking Ring from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Jockey Autograph Signing. Fans will meet active and retired Keeneland riders and Hall of Famers in an event that benefits the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). Hats, goggles and autograph books that can be signed will be available for purchase; personal items and commemorative Toyota Blue Grass poster may be signed with a donation to PDJF. The event will take place in the North Terrace from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 7
Race 7, 4:12 p.m. — $250,000 Palisades (L), 3-year-olds, 5½ furlongs (turf):
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight |
| 1 | Mattingly | Joe Orseno | Paco Lopez | 120 |
| 2 | Coin Miner | Keith Desormeaux | James Graham | 118 |
| 3 | Mansa Musa (IRE) | Bill Mott | Junior Alvardo | 118 |
| 4 | No Nay Mets (IRE) | George Weaver | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 123 |
| 5 | Silent Heart | Brian Lynch | John Velazquez | 118 |
| 6 | Fandom (GB) | Wesley Ward | Jose Ortiz | 118 |
| 7 | Ceepeegee | Ron Moquett | Frankie Dettori | 118 |
| 8 | My Boy Prince | Mark Cassee | Joel Rosario | 123 |
| 9 | Committee of One | Steve Asmussen | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 123 |
| 10 | Shards | Kelsey Danner | Adam Beschizza | 118 |
| 11 | Aspenite | Steve Asmussen | Tyler Gaffalione | 123 |
| 12 | Refuel | Todd Pletcher | Luis Saez | 118 |
| 13 (AE) | Sketch (IRE) | Conor Murphy | Flavien Prat | 118 |
| 14 (AE) | Works for Me | Joseph Lee | Vincent Cheminaud | 118 |
Race 8, 4:44 p.m. — $400,000 MiddleGround Capital Beaumont (G2), 3-year-old fillies, 7 furlongs and 184 feet:
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight |
| 1 | Denim and Pearls | Brad Cox | Flavien Prat | 118 |
| 2 | Harbor Springs | Greg Foley | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 118 |
| 3 | Tipsy Tammy | Phil Bauer | John Velazquez | 118 |
| 4 | Chi Chi | Sam Wilensky | Junior Alvarado | 118 |
| 5 | Vicountess | Todd Beattie | Jose Ortiz | 118 |
| 6 | Youalmosthadme | Brad Cox | Tyler Gaffalione | 118 |
Opening Week Special Events
Throughout the Spring Meet, special events and activities will continue Keeneland’s historic mission to support the Central Kentucky community and the Thoroughbred industry. They include:
Year-round
Official Keeneland Tours. Click here for availability and to purchase.
Through Aug. 16
Keeneland Library is recognizing this year’s historic running of the Toyota Blue Grass at its free exhibit, A Rite of Spring: The 100thRunning of the Blue Grass Stakes. The exhibit features photographs that capture race highlights curated from Keeneland Library collections and public submissions from professional and amateur photographers along with memorabilia from noted jockeys Bill Shoemaker, Mike Manganello and Chris Antley and celebrated runners Whirlaway, Riva Ridge, Spectacular Bid and Strike the Gold.
Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Library is located on the Keeneland campus. Enter Keeneland at Gate 1 on Keeneland Blvd. and take the first right on Entertainment Ct. The Library is to the left of the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center.
Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 7
The Hill. Keeneland’s popular tailgating area will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the Spring Meet, weather permitting. 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, food trucks and handicapping assistance from BETologists. Complimentary shuttles to the track are offered.
For fans who want to elevate their experience, Keeneland again is partnering with RevelXP to offer tailgate packages for groups of any size. RevelXP will organize tailgates by furnishing a designated tent, catering, amenities and more. Visit Keeneland.com/tailgating for full details.
The Hill is open from 8 a.m. to 60 minutes after the last race. Amenities are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Keeneland Shop is open from 9 a.m. to 30 minutes following the final race. Milliners Corner, featuring Christine A. Moore (April 5-7), Wagering Central and Finish Line locations are open race days. On April 5, Draper James will be located just inside the North Grandstand entrance from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
