Keeneland Spring Meet2019 Blue Grass Date and Expected Runners
Keeneland's 16-day Spring Meet will open this week – a day earlier than most fans might expect.
For the first time in 60 years, Keeneland's meet will begin on Thursday, with Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton proclaiming it "Keeneland Day in the Bluegrass."
Thursday's opening-day card will feature eight races, starting at 3 p.m. The featured race will be the inaugural running of the $100,000 Palisades Turf Sprint for 3-year-olds at 5½ furlongs. Gates will open at 1 p.m., with several jockeys scheduled to sign autographs from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Following the races, the Zach Longoria Project will perform in the paddock area from 7-8:30 p.m. as part of the Central Bank Thursday Night Live.
Here are the particulars of the meet:
• Racing will be held Wednesday-Sunday (except Easter Sunday, on April 21). Except for Thursday, gates will open at 11 a.m. with first post set for 1:05 p.m. Closing day is Friday, April 26.
• Admission is $5, with children 12 and under free. Free public parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis near the grandstand (rows 15-20 and rows 28-34) and adjacent to the entertainment center in The Meadow and on The Hill (the official tailgate lot), weather permitting. The Hill features local food trucks, a jumbo TV for watching races, wagering, The Keeneland Shop kiosk and complimentary shuttles to the track. On Saturdays, Bluegrass bands will perform from noon-4 p.m.
• Keeneland offers plenty of online and social-media sources: Keeneland.com; @Keenelandracing on Twitter; Facebook.com/Keeneland; @Keeneland on Instagram. Also on Twitter, @BetKeeneland is an interactive handle that provides horseplayers with real-time handicapping tips and insights while benefitting the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance through its Handicapper of the Day series. The Keeneland Race Day App also offers several features.
• TVG will provide live TV coverage of Keeneland throughout the meet. NBC Sports Network will carry live coverage of Saturday's Blue Grass. Races also are streamed live at Keeneland.com.
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Here are three things to watch during the spring meet:
Full field expected for Blue Grass
Saturday's $1 million, Grade 2 Blue Grass will offer 170 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, with the winner (100 points) and runner-up (40 points) virtually guaranteed spots in the Run for the Roses on May 4 at Churchill Downs.
The Blue Grass likely will have a full field of 14 runners. Among the top contenders will be Signalman (trained by Kenny McPeek), Somelikeithotbrown (Mike Maker) Vekoma (George Weaver) and Win Win Win (Mike Trombetta).
The last horse to run in the Blue Grass and win the Kentucky Derby was Street Sense in 2007. Street Sense was second in the Blue Grass. The last horse to win both the Blue Grass and Kentucky Derby was Strike the Gold in 1991.
Good Magic, last year's Blue Grass winner, finished second in the Kentucky Derby behind Justify.
Ashland could produce top Oaks contender
Saturday's $500,000, Grade 1 Ashland could provide one of the top contenders for the Kentucky Oaks set for May 3 at Churchill.
Two of the past four Ashland winners have gone on to win the Oaks – Lovely Maria in 2015 and Monomoy Girl last year.
Jaywalk, the 2-year-old champion filly trained by John Servis, will be a top contender in the Ashland. Honeybee Stakes winner Chocolate Kisses, trained by Mark Casse, will be another filly to beat.
Friday is College Scholarship Day
Full-time college students from Kentucky and beyond will vie for $30,000 in scholarships during the popular College Scholarship Day, which Keeneland holds in partnership with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association.
Two $10,000 Runhappy Scholarships will be awarded in addition to $1,000 scholarships awarded after each of the day's 10 races. Pre-register online by 5 p.m. Thursday to pass the line. Students will receive free general admission Friday and can register at the College Zone in the North Terrace, which will have music, free snacks and prize drawings.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/jasonf.
Source: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/horse-racing/2019/04/03/keeneland-spring-meet-preview-ashland-blue-grass-impact-kentucky-derby/3339898002/
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