How to Plan a Day at Keeneland Race Track

Since 1936, the Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., has held live thoroughbred racing every April and October. The track is one of the oldest and finest establishments in the country, and the history it has seen is almost unmatched. Keeneland also features a famous sale of thoroughbreds when they are not racing; it is one of the two largest horse sales in the nation. Here is how to plan a day of racing at Keeneland Race Course.

Instructions

  1. Planning a Day of Racing at Keeneland Race Track

    • 1

      Pick your day.One of the best parts about seeing live racing at Keeneland is your ability to witness some of the best horses in the country have their chance at thoroughbred glory. The Keeneland meets feature some of the best races in the country.Some of the biggest races include the GI Ashland Stakes, the GII Maker's Mark Mile Stakes and the GI Blue Grass Stakes, which is one of the major prep races for the Kentucky Derby.If you are going to go to Keeneland, do yourself a favor and pick one of its big days. The track will be busier than normal, but you will have the opportunity to see some of the best horses run, and the atmosphere at the track will be absolutely electric.

    • 2

      Consider tailgating.Tailgating is a big attraction at Keeneland Race Course. While going into the main grandstand can be a lot of fun, so can staying in the parking lot.Keeneland makes tailgating pretty easy. Every Friday and Saturday (weather permitting), the track provides a "Watch and Wager" betting window located outdoors by one of the entrance gates. This is a great way to spend the day outside with your friends or family, doing something you love and still being able to play the ponies. It's just another way that Keeneland allows you to bet and make some money.

    • 3

      Do some research.One of the most interesting attractions at Keeneland Race Track is an extensive library full of racing information from the sport's past. The library, established in 1939, has more than 10,000 volumes of clippings, and thousands of videocassettes as well. The entire library collection provides a great way to learn about the sport's rich history, from the beginning all the way to the present. You can look at as many books as you like, but this is a reference-only, non-circulating library. It is open year-'round, Monday through Friday, except major holidays.

    • 4

      Get there early, have breakfast.Every Saturday during its racing meet, the track puts on a program called Breakfast with the Works. It's a morning breakfast (served from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.) that allows visitors to watch the horses' morning workouts while dining.The program is also educational: Another of its aims is to inform the watchers about the beginning stages of how to train a horse. There is a live demonstration in the paddock at 8:45 a.m. Past guests have included a blacksmith and trainers and jockeys.And after that, at 11:30 a.m., there is a free handicapping seminar conducted by two local professionals. They give tips and discuss how to handicap the day's race card.