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Keeneland plays host to the Breeders’ Cup for the first time ever in 2015.
The picturesque track – nestled in the heart of Bluegrass horse country in Lexington, Kentucky – kicks off a three-day celebration October 29 culminating in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on October 31.
While Keeneland’s 2015 Fall Meet is scheduled to take place October 2-24, track officials have carded an additional seven stakes worth $900,000 to add to the festivities. The $100,000 Lafayette S. will get the racing action started on Thursday, October 29; Breeders’ Cup Friday boasts the $200,000 Fayette S., $200,000 Marathon S. and $100,000 Bryan Station S.; Breeders’ Cup Saturday features the $100,000 Juvenile Dirt Sprint, $100,000 Fort Springs S. and $100,000 Perryville S.
As the host track, the traditional preps that take place at Keeneland will hold special significance this season. Eight of the Fall Meet stakes are “Win and You’re In” events as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series of qualifying races. All but one of that eight will take place during the track’s traditional opening Fall Stars Weekend October 2-4.
The major storyline for the 2015 Breeders’ Cup is whether American Pharoah can reign supreme in the Classic.
Having already gained international fame by becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, the bay colt trained by Bob Baffert and campaigned by Ahmed Zayat will attempt to cap off his career in winning fashion as he is expected to begin stud duty in 2016.
Another big topic is the return of 2013 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Beholder, who was forced to miss a title defense run in last year’s Distaff due to illness. Instead, superstar three-year-old filly Untapable proved unbeatable in the Distaff and will try to hold on to her crown as a four-year-old facing a former champ.
The juveniles are still sorting themselves out, the turf division is open at this point, and the sprinters are currently in flux.