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\n$1.25 million Toyota Blue Grass, $750,000 Central Bank Ashland,
\nopening of Paddock Building among highlights<\/i><\/b><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
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LEXINGTON, KY (March 27, 2026) \u2013\u00a0<\/b>Keeneland kicks off a blockbuster 2026 on\u00a0<\/b>Friday, April 3 with the opening of the Spring Meet, 15 days of spectacular Thoroughbred racing featuring the public opening of the Paddock Building along with an offering of popular special events and exciting wagering action. The first Saturday of the meet is Toyota Blue Grass Day, an 11-race card featuring five stakes worth a combined $3.15 million and led by the 102nd<\/sup>\u00a0running of the $1.25 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1) \u2014 which will be broadcast live on NBCSN and Peacock. The entire season will present 19 stakes worth a Spring Meet record $9.55 million.<\/p>\n \u201cKeeneland is incredibly excited to kick off what is sure to be a landmark year,\u201d Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. \u201cThe Spring Meet is just the start of the excitement, which will carry through the Fall with more world-class racing and the return of the Breeders\u2019 Cup World Championships, framed by our banner September and November Sales that have launched so many of racing\u2019s biggest stars.\u201d<\/p>\n The Toyota Blue Grass and the 89th<\/sup>\u00a0running of the opening-day Central Bank Ashland, the year\u2019s first Grade 1 event for fillies, are key springtime races on the dirt for 3-year-olds. Both stakes are worth 200 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks, respectively, with the winners of each stakes earning 100 qualifying points to the respective classic.<\/p>\n Racing during the Spring Meet will be conducted Wednesdays through Sundays with post time for the first race at 1 p.m. ET each day. Keeneland will be closed for racing on Easter Sunday, April 5. Closing day, April 24, will feature 10 races followed by the April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, scheduled to begin at approximately 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n As always, all tickets must be purchased\u00a0<\/b>in advance\u00a0<\/b>via\u00a0Keeneland\u2019s Official Online Ticket Office\u00a0<\/b>at\u00a0tickets.Keeneland.com<\/a>\/racing.<\/span>\u00a0Cash and walk-up purchases are not available at the main entrance gates on race days. Season passes, which offer General Admission throughout the meet, are available for purchase at $50 apiece through April 2.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Keeneland offers a return policy of up to\u00a0<\/a>48 hours\u00a0in advance of race day. Because ticket inventory is updated automatically and available for purchase at\u00a0tickets.Keeneland.com, fans should check this site regularly and sign up to be notified when tickets become available.<\/p>\n Also:<\/p>\n C<\/b>omplimentary digital programs<\/b>\u00a0with Equibase past performances Powered by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) are available to download by clicking\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/u><\/p>\n Information about attending the races during the Spring Meet is available on the\u00a0Patron Experience Guide<\/b>\u00a0at\u00a0Keeneland.com\/welcome<\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Paddock Building opens to public<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n The Spring Meet marks the public debut of the new\u00a0<\/span>Paddock Building<\/a>, which\u00a0<\/span>introduces more than 1,000 dining tickets each race day and offers guests a range of distinctive options.\u00a0Designed for year-round use, the Paddock Building will serve as a premier setting for sales and private events in addition to enhancing the race-day experience.<\/p>\n Last October, fans and horsemen at the Fall Meet were the first to experience the\u00a0initial phase of Keeneland\u2019s construction enhancements led by\u00a0c<\/b><\/span>entrally located saddling stalls\u00a0<\/b><\/span>repositioned along the east side of the Saddling Paddock; a new\u00a0Jockeys Quarters<\/b>\u00a0located beneath the Paddock Building that enables riders to enter the Saddling Paddock through a centralized location from the Paddock Building; and a\u00a0Stakes Winner\u2019s Circle\u00a0<\/b>(formerly the Walking Ring) where the horse and jockey return after winning a stakes to join connections for photographs in an area where fans can share in the thrill of victory.<\/span><\/p>\n Watch races on TV and online<\/b><\/p>\n Fans can watch all Spring Meet races live and at no charge thanks to the\u00a0Keeneland Livestream\u00a0<\/b>on\u00a0Keeneland.com<\/a>,\u00a0Keeneland Race Day App<\/a>,\u00a0Keeneland Select<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Keeneland\u2019s YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n Other coverage of Keeneland racing includes:<\/p>\n Parking for the races<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Free parking:\u00a0<\/b>Available at The Hill and The Meadow with no reservation required. Patrons will have access to complimentary shuttling to the track.<\/p>\n Green Lot parking:<\/b>\u00a0Patrons may purchase a Green Lot pass to reserve a spot in the paved parking rows. (Spaces are offered first come, first served and are only for car parking.) Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0to purchase a Green Lot pass.<\/p>\n To reach the Green Lot, enter Gate 2 and follow signage to the right. Green Lot parking will open at 8 a.m. and close 60 minutes after the final race.<\/p>\n Accessible parking:\u00a0<\/b>Enter Gate 1 to reach complimentary accessible parking in Rows 21-25. No reservation or permit is required, and all spaces are located in the semipaved lot. Complimentary golf cart shuttles from the parking lot to the South Entrance are available.<\/p>\n RideShare:<\/b>\u00a0Uber\/Lyft\/taxis, personal pickups\/drop-offs and private car services (sedans and SUVs) will be directed to RideShare, located adjacent to the Shuttle Depot. There is no vehicular access to the North, East or South Entrances for drop-off\/pickup.<\/p>\n Bus Lot:<\/b>\u00a0A permit is required for vehicles such as charter buses, RVs (no overnight parking), school buses, etc. Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more information and to purchase.<\/p>\n Track Kitchen:<\/b>\u00a0Most parking is limited to horsemen and barn staff. For those coming to eat at the Track Kitchen, limited parking spots are available to the public directly in front of the building.<\/p>\n Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for the\u00a0grounds map<\/b>\u00a0with the parking options.<\/p>\n Also visit\u00a0Parking FAQ:<\/b>\u00a0Keeneland.com\/racing\/parking-frequently-asked-questions<\/a><\/p>\n The Hill is for tailgaters<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n The place for tailgating at Keeneland is The Hill, which is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the meet, weather permitting. The area is accessible via<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b>Gate 1\u00a0(at Man o\u2019 War Blvd.)\u00a0or Gate 4 (off Van Meter Road on the east side of Keeneland).<\/p>\n Two levels of accommodations are available:<\/span><\/p>\n Click\u00a0<\/span>here<\/a>\u00a0for full details.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Special events showcase Keeneland philanthropic mission<\/b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Throughout the Spring Meet, these special events and promotions will reflect Keeneland\u2019s commitment to community engagement, philanthropy and growing the sport:<\/p>\n Saturday, April 4, 11, 18:\u00a0<\/b>Sunrise Trackside<\/b><\/a>.\u00a0<\/b>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 breakfast items at a concession stand while watching\u00a0<\/a>horses\u00a0<\/a>train. Children\u2019s activities on the first floor of the Grandstand include a visit with Keeneland mascot Buckles, face painting and games. Mini tours are available at the Welcome Stand near the Saddling Paddock.<\/p>\n Every Saturday, the John Deere Tractor Break will take place during the renovation period on the main track from 8:30-9 a.m. and include a drawing for a kids John Deere electric-powered truck with trailer from John Deere\/Meade Tractor. Meanwhile, a meet and\u00a0<\/a>greet\u00a0with a horse will be held in the Saddling Paddock from 8:30-9 a.m.<\/p>\n On April 4, the Easter Bunny will appear at the special Easter edition of Sunrise Trackside.<\/p>\n Friday, April 10:\u00a0<\/b>College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane\u2019s End<\/b><\/a>.\u00a0<\/b>Keeneland invites college\u00a0students to enjoy a day of racing, prizes, scholarship giveaways,\u00a0behind-the-scenes tours, reserved seating and more. By pre-registering, students will receive a free\u00a0general admission ticket\u00a0good for April 10 and the opportunity to win one of 10 $2,000 scholarships provided by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Keeneland. Students who attend the race day and have their tickets scanned day-of also will be eligible to win one of two additional $10,000 scholarships provided by Lane\u2019s End Farm, as well as prize packages from local Kentucky businesses.\u00a0Students must be on site to be eligible to win all prizes and scholarships. Activities will take place at the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-register at\u00a0www.Keeneland.com\/csd<\/a>.<\/p>\n Saturday, April 11: Keeneland Library Exhibit Companion Book Signing.\u00a0<\/b>On the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., meet some of the people featured in Keeneland Library\u2019s current exhibit,\u00a0Ra\u00edces: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing,\u00a0<\/i>a\u00a0landmark bilingual showcase and education initiative. The\u00a0Ra\u00edces\u00a0<\/i>exhibit companion book shares stories and never-before-published photographs. Books are $10 each with all proceeds benefiting the Keeneland Library Foundation. (Cash only. Patrons are required to have a race meet ticket to attend the book signing.)<\/p>\n Sunday, April 12:\u00a0<\/b>Heroes Day.<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/b>This event honors members of the military (active duty and veterans), first responders and community heroes with programming tied to Lexington Navy Week. Heroes and their families will receive free general admission, reserved Grandstand seating, access to the Family Zone on the North Terrace and a complimentary meal from Jimmy John\u2019s. A flag rollout will take place on the track, and heroes will be recognized in the Winner\u2019s Circle.<\/p>\n A POW-MIA Chair of Honor will be displayed near the Paddock to bring awareness to past and current POW-MIA military members through a partnership with The Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 5.<\/p>\n Each hero is eligible to receive up to four complimentary tickets. Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0to reserve.<\/p>\n Saturday, April 18: Jockey Autograph Signing:\u00a0<\/b>Fans will meet active and retired Keeneland riders and Hall of Famers in an event that benefits the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), which is celebrating its 20th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary. Hats, posters, goggles and autograph books that can be signed will be available for purchase; personal items may be signed with a donation to PDJF. The event will take place on the North Terrace from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Saturday, April 18: PDJF\u00a0<\/b>Telethon Presented by Lane\u2019s End.\u00a0<\/b>Racing Hall of Fame riders, leading active jockeys and racing personalities will take part in the eighth annual fundraiser. Keeneland will hold a call center in the Limestone Caf\u00e9 in the Sales Pavilion. The event will be broadcast on both FanDuel TV and America\u2019s Day at the Races on the Fox Sports family of networks and be streamed on\u00a0tvg.com<\/a>. Fans can participate by calling 1 844 884-7353 from 12:30-6 p.m. or by donating directly at\u00a0https:\/\/pdjf.org\/donate\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sunday, April 19:\u00a0<\/b>Kids Club Family Day Presented by Golisano Children\u2019s at UK.<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/b>The Keeneland Kids Club is the Official Kids Club for Keeneland fans ages 12 and under. Children 12 and under receive free general admission (no ticket required); Kids Club members may reserve up to two complimentary general admission tickets for accompanying adults in advance of the event. Access to reserved grandstand seating in Sections A, B & C is also available. Children\u2019s activities in the North Terrace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will include face painting, sweet treats and activities with such local community partners as Amplify Horse Racing, Golisano Children\u2019s at UK, LexArts and The Salvation Army.\u00a0Sign up for the Kids Club at\u00a0Keeneland.com\/kidsclub<\/a>.<\/p>\n Wagering action and tools expand<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n \n Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more detailed information on updated wagering opportunities debuting during the Spring Meet.<\/p>\n \n In addition,\u00a0Keeneland Select<\/b><\/a>, the track\u2019s advance-deposit wagering platform (ADW), is offering a bonus for new customers who sign up between March 30-April 24: Each will receive $100 back after wagering $200 on the Spring Meet (use promo code Spring2026).<\/p>\n \n This is in addition to Keeneland Select\u2019s sign-up bonus that will earn new customers $100 after they wager $300 in the first 30 days. In addition, members will receive free admission to the Spring Meet if they have wagered $500 or more since the start of 2025.<\/p>\n \n These handicapping contests are for horseplayers of all skill levels.<\/p>\n \n Wednesday, April 8, 15, 22:\u00a0<\/b>WINS-Day Challenge Presented by Malone\u2019s.\u00a0<\/b>Enter for $10 at Wagering Central on the first floor of the Grandstand and place a mythical $2 win and place wager \u2013 no actual money is required \u2013 on Keeneland\u2019s final six races of the day. This is an inexpensive way for beginner handicappers to give contests a try.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Friday, April 10: $400 Spring Challenge.<\/b>\u00a0Available only at Keeneland, this handicapping contest offers one berth to the Breeders\u2019 Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) on Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland and as many as four spots to the 2027 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas.\u00a0Players will wager a live bankroll of $250 on Keeneland races.\u00a0Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/a>register and\u00a0for more information.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Saturday, April 11: Grade 1 Gamble.\u00a0<\/b>Keeneland hosts this signature handicapping contest of the Spring Meet with the cooperation of XpressBet, NYRABets, 4NJ Bets, HPI and TVG on the day of the Jenny Wiley and the Stonestreet Lexington. Entry fee is $3,500 with $2,500 going to a live bankroll and $1,000 to the prize fund. Contestants may play at Keeneland or on one of the aforementioned ADW platforms. Prizes include an estimated $70,000 for first place (based on 300 entries), as many as six berths in the BCBC and 10 spots in the NHC. Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0to register and read more information about the contest, which will be held in the Dogwood Room in Keeneland\u2019s new Paddock Building.<\/p>\n \n \n *******************************************************<\/p>\n Keeneland 2026 Spring Meet at a Glance<\/b><\/p>\n Schedule:\u00a0<\/b>15 days from April 3-24. No racing Mondays, Tuesdays and Easter Sunday (April 5).<\/p>\n Five Grade 1 stakes:<\/b>\u00a0the $750,000 Central Bank Ashland on April 3; the $1.25 million Toyota Blue Grass and the $650,000 Resolute Racing Madison on April 4; the $650,000 Maker\u2019s Mark Mile on April 10; and the $650,000 Jenny Wiley on April 11.<\/p>\n Gates open:<\/b>\u00a011 a.m.<\/p>\n First race:<\/b>\u00a01 p.m.<\/p>\n Tickets:<\/b>\u00a0tickets.Keeneland.com<\/a>\/racing<\/span><\/p>\n How to watch:\u00a0<\/b>Through the\u00a0Keeneland Livestream<\/b>, fans can watch all races live and at no charge on\u00a0Keeneland.com<\/a>,\u00a0Keeneland Race Day App<\/a>,\u00a0Keeneland Select<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0Keeneland\u2019s YouTube channel.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>FanDuel TV\u00a0<\/b>will present live extensive coverage of every race.<\/p>\n Complimentary digital programs Powered by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF):\u00a0<\/strong>Including Equibase past performances, these will be available for download at\u00a0https:\/\/www.keeneland.com\/complimentary-pps<\/a><\/p>\n \n\n
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\nParking FAQ:<\/b>\u00a0Keeneland.com\/racing\/parking-frequently-asked-questions<\/a><\/p>\n
\nPatron Experience Guide:\u00a0<\/b>Make the most of your day at the races and refer to the latest information about parking and entry at\u00a0<\/b>Keeneland.com\/welcome<\/a>.<\/p>\n