Edited Keeneland Release – Keeneland successfully closed its 2022 Spring Meet on Friday with all-sources handle topping $219 million to establish an all-time wagering record for the historic Thoroughbred track.
Fans at Keeneland and across the country enjoyed an exceptionally strong racing season with record average daily purses of $1.147 million attracting the nation’s top horses and jockeys and resulting in full fields that averaged 9.1 starters per race.
Complementing the quality racing was a slate of special events that offered family fun while benefiting the local community.
The 15-day Spring Meet, held April 8-29, marks the third consecutive season of record handle at Keeneland, reflecting the tremendous quality of racing.
All-sources wagering (not including whole-card simulcasting at Keeneland) for the Spring Meet totaled $219,284,979, eclipsing the previous record of $181,009,626 set during last year’s 17-day Fall Meet. The total represents a 33.16 percent increase over last spring’s record $164,680,229. Average daily all-sources handle was $14,618,999.
Wagering totals were boosted by several individual handle records during the meet. Record single-day all-sources handle of $28,137,728 was set on Toyota Blue Grass Day, Saturday, April 9, which featured 11 races, five of which were graded stakes.
Wagering on the 11-race card the following Saturday, April 16, totaled $27,304,001 to be the second-highest single-day handle in Keeneland history.
Record Pick 4 and Pick 5 wagering also was realized on April 16. The Pick 4 handled a record $1,357,298, exceeding the previous mark of $1,065,002 set on Toyota Blue Grass Day in 2018. The Pick 5 handled a record $1,539,098 to surpass the $1,485,090 established on Toyota Blue Grass Day in 2021.
On-track wagering this spring totaled $16,190,832, up 75.52 percent from last spring’s $9,224,273 when COVID-19 limited attendance for the meet. Average daily on-track wagering this spring was $1,079,389.
The Keeneland Turf Pick 3, a wager on the final three turf races each day that was inaugurated last fall, remained popular with handicappers with total handle of $1,543,399, for an average of $128,617 per day (12 days of the wager).
Keeneland will host the 2022 Breders’ up Championships NOV 4-5.
