Keeneland's 2024 spring meet ended Friday with betting from all sources exceeding $218 million, the third-highest handle in track history. Average daily earnings of $1.16 million attract thoroughbred racing's top stables and jockeys, providing 16 days of quality racing along with special and community events that bring Family fun with a charitable mission.
“A huge thank you to our horsemen and sponsors, the crowds who came to the track every day, and those who watched,” said Shannon Arvin, Keeneland President and CEO. and bet on Keeneland across the country.” “We are especially appreciative of our fans' cooperation as we make the necessary adjustments to host racing during construction of our new Paddock Building. We are proud that this Spring Meet continues to deliver the exceptional race day experiences and traditions that people know and love about Keeneland.”
Betting from all sources (excluding simulcast of the entire card at Keeneland) for the Spring Meeting, held April 5-26, totaled $218,741,501, down 2 .5% over last spring's record of $224,348,745 over 15 days of racing.
Total active betting is $15,831,087 compared to $15,844,092 in spring 2023.
Betting has been boosted by a number of individual handling records. On Toyota's Green Grass Day, April 6, all sources handled the 11-race card with five graded bets totaling $29,261,346, eclipsing the previous single-day betting record of 28,137 $.728 set in 2022. Win/location/program a $2,576,663 bet on Toyota Blue Grass broke the 2019 record of $2,068,406. All Stakes Pick 5 ended with Toyota Blue Grass handling $1,696,981, breaking the 2022 record of $1,539,098.
Keeneland Turf Pick 3, a daily bet on the final three turf races, set a handle record of $280,308 on April 13, topping the $248,094 mark last Fall. The bet brought in a record $56,593 on April 18.
The Daily Double set the record handle twice in the Spring Meet: $329,433 at the opening on April 5 and $470,988 on April 13 to surpass the previous record of $286,255 la set for April 23, 2022. This spring, Keeneland reduced the stakes on the Daily Double by 22% to 15%.
