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Keeneland Offers Exciting Special Events Calendar this Fall

Popular College Scholarship Day, See Blue Day and tribute to those who serve the community on Heroes Day

highlight 17-day race meet

LEXINGTON, KY (Oct. 1, 2013) – While Keeneland presents 17 days of world-class Thoroughbred racing from Oct. 4-26, fans of all ages can celebrate with an exciting calendar of special events that offers something for everyone.

Headlining the fun are such favorites as College Scholarship Day, Sunrise Trackside, See Blue Day, a jockey autograph session and Heroes Day.

On Fridays and Saturdays, Keeneland is expanding the popular tailgating experience on The Hill. The official tailgating lot, located adjacent to the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center and introduced last spring to rave reviews, will offer more amenities for race fans this fall. The area will feature a variety of food trucks, live Bluegrass music, The Keeneland Gift Shop, a jumbo television screen to watch all the Keeneland racing action and SEC football games, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, and BETologists to assist fans.

  On Friday, Oct. 11, Keeneland welcomes fans of the University of Kentucky and the University of Alabama for See Blue Day. The celebration will include events on The Hill, including dedicated fan zones for Kentucky and Alabama, appearances by the UK cheerleaders, live music and a handicapping challenge between Tom Leach and Alabama radio announcer Eli Gold, with all proceeds benefiting Kentucky’s DanceBlue and the University of Alabama Dance Marathon.

New this fall will be a craft beer tent on the North Terrace patio. Popular local craft beers will be featured on Fridays and Saturdays during the meet.

  These special events and more promise to make Keeneland’s 2013 fall season one of the most exciting ever.

  2013 Fall Special Events Calendar

·         Friday, Oct. 4: Opening Day and Tribute to Bucky Sallee. The public is invited to join Keeneland in honoring Bugler Emeritus Bucky Sallee, retiring after more than 50 years as Keeneland’s horn blower, and welcoming new bugler Steve Buttleman. Special commemorations are planned for Bucky prior to the first race, and Bucky will sign autographs during the afternoon. Fans will be able to share their memories of Bucky online at Keeneland.com, or drop a letter in the “Bucky Mailbox,” which will be located adjacent to the paddock on opening day. There will also be a Happy Hour after the races.

  ·         Friday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 6: Win and You’re In Challenge. Fans will have the opportunity to win a VIP trip for two to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships Nov. 1-2 at Santa Anita. The fan that picks the most winners from the weekend’s Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In Challenge races will earn a Breeders’ Cup prize package that includes clubhouse seating for two, airfare, three-night stay and Breeders’ Cup merchandise. The prize package is courtesy of Keeneland, Breeders’ Cup and Blue Grass Airport. Fans may register at www.Keeneland.com/fallstars/contest.

  • Fridays, Oct. 4, 11 and 18: Friday Pick 4 Presented by TVG. A $200,000-guaranteed pool will be offered on the last four races of the day.

  Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 4-26: Tailgating on The Hill. Located adjacent to the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center, The Hill will feature a variety of food trucks, a jumbo television screen featuring Keeneland racing and SEC college football, live Bluegrass music on Saturdays, the Keeneland Gift Shop, wireless wagering and wagering terminals, and race-day programs and general admission tickets available for purchase. A complimentary shuttle will take fans to the grandstand. BETologists will be on hand to assist fans.

·         Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 4-26: Craft Beer Tent. A craft beer tent in the North Terrace will feature popular local craft beers on Fridays and Saturdays.  Local musicians 64 West will perform after the races on Friday, Oct. 4.

·         Saturdays, Oct. 12, 19, 26: America’s Best Racing (ABR) brand ambassadors will conduct betting seminars on The Hill and offer additional giveaways to promote Thoroughbred racing, including a chance to win a Breeders’ Cup experience at Keeneland during the event’s simulcast. The program is part of The Jockey Club’s cross-country fan development initiative.

  • Saturdays, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26: Sunrise Trackside offers activities for the entire family beginning at 7 a.m. with Breakfast With the Works, featuring a Southern-style breakfast and trackside commentary on Thoroughbreds as they train (until 8:30 a.m.); children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7-9 a.m.); an equine-related demonstration in the paddock (8:45 a.m.); walking tours of Keeneland (8:30-10:30 a.m.); a trackside handicapping seminar (11:30 a.m.); and a Q&A session with a Keeneland jockey in the paddock (12:05 p.m.).

·         Saturday, Oct. 5: All Stakes Pick 4 presented by TVG. The $250,000 All Stakes Pick 4 presented by TVG challenges patrons to handicap the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2), First Lady (G1), Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity (G1), and Shadwell Turf Mile (G1). 

  ·         Wednesdays, Oct. 9, 16, 23: ‘WINS-day’ Handicapping Contest presented by Daily Racing Form and Drake’s. Register at Wagering Central. Entry fee is $10; 100% of fees are returned in prizes. Players place a mythical $2 win bet on Keeneland races 3 through 8 with a guaranteed $2,500 pool. First-, second- and third-place finishers will also receive gift cards from Drake’s. The first 200 to register will receive a Daily Racing Form and free appetizer from Drake’s.

  • Thursday, Oct. 10: Make-A-Wish Day. Local Thoroughbred farms have teamed up with Keeneland to grant wishes for nine deserving children. Come out to Keeneland to support the Make-A-Wish foundation and cheer on these children as they present the trophies for all nine races. The children and their families will be treated to a VIP day at the races.
  • Friday, Oct. 11: See Blue Day. Kick off Kentucky’s home football weekend versus two-time defending national champion Alabama by tailgating on The Hill for Friday’s racing action. Each school will have a designated “fan zone” tent. Kentucky students, alumni and faculty receive free general admission and access to reserved grandstand seating with their IDs. Fans can also cheer on a handicapping challenge between Tom Leach and Alabama radio announcer Eli Gold, with all proceeds benefiting Kentucky’s DanceBlue and the University of Alabama Dance Marathon.

·         Friday, Oct. 11 and Saturday, Oct. 12: The Keeneland Gift Shop Presents a trunk show with Southern Proper and State Traditions from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

  ·         Friday, Oct. 11: Buffalo Trace Giveaway. Enter to win the ultimate Buffalo Trace experience, including a behind-the-scenes look at America’s oldest continually-operated distillery, a private whiskey tasting and more. The first 1,500 patrons to register receive a free Buffalo Trace drawstring bag. Registration table is located near Elevator C.

  • Sunday, Oct. 13: Chase Bank Customer Day. Patrons can present their JPMorgan Chase debit or credit card at South or East Gate entrances to receive free general admission.

  ·         Wednesday, Oct. 16: American Heart Association Day. Keeneland teams with the American Heart Association for its Go Red for Women campaign. Fans are encouraged to wear red to raise awareness of the danger of heart disease in women. The first 3,000 fans receive a free red dress pen. Supporters of the American Heart Association can order a special Go Red at Keeneland package for $15, which includes a general admission ticket and a special Go Red for Women gift. A portion of the ticket price will be donated to the American Heart Association by Keeneland. The package can be ordered by calling 859-977-4601.

  • Thursday, Oct. 17: Jockey Autograph Signing. Meet retired jockeys and current Keeneland riders from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. adjacent to the paddock. Jockeys will sign posters and commemorative autograph books sold for $5 to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

  ·         Friday, Oct. 18: College Scholarship Day. The popular event attracts thousands of students from colleges and universities in Kentucky and in neighboring states. Admission is free for full-time students, who can register in the College Zone in the North Terrace to win a $1,000 scholarship awarded after each of the day’s 10 races. First 1,000 students to register for a scholarship receive a free Keeneland College Scholarship Day T-shirt courtesy of Kennedy Book Store and a hat from Vineyard Vines. In the College Zone, students can enjoy music; free snacks from Qdoba, Raising Cane’s, Core Power and Drake’s; photos by LexScene; and prize drawings after each race. Students can also register for the Drake’s Handicapping Challenge; one student will win the opportunity to place a $500 bet on the feature race, the Pin Oak Valley View (G3).

  ·         Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19: The Keeneland Gift Shop Presents a trunk show with Vineyard Vines from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. each day. 

  • Sunday, Oct. 20: Heroes Day. Keeneland recognizes the men and women who serve our community. All military (active duty and veterans), first responders – police officers, firefighters, EMTs – and their families will receive free general admission and reserved grandstand seating.

  Sunday, Oct. 20: Keeneland Select Appreciation Day. Keeneland Select, the official online wagering service of Keeneland Association, is hosting a special day at the races for Keeneland Select members. The invitation-only event will include a meal, special industry guests, and a Keeneland Select gift.

  Saturday, Oct. 26: Fan Appreciation Day. As a thanks to our fans for their support, Keeneland will offer patrons a free sampling of bread pudding in the North Terrace from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.