Keeneland 2013 Spring

Keeneland will offer 16 stakes worth $3.625 million for its 2013 spring race meeting, headlined by the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1), for colts and fillies, respectively, with classic aspirations.

The 16-day spring meeting will be held April 5-26, and features racing Wednesdays through Sundays. Post time for the first race each day is 1:05 p.m. ET. Fifteen of the spring’s 16 stakes are graded, highlighted by five Grade 1 events. Half of the stakes will be run on Polytrack and half contested on turf.

Anchoring the spring’s opening week are the $500,000 Central Bank Ashland, for three-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on April 6, and the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass, for three-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on April 13, both signature preps on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1), respectively. 

Traditionally one of North America’s richest and most diverse racing programs, the Keeneland spring meet attracts the country’s top horses, trainers and jockeys. Among last spring’s highlights – Keeneland-based Wise Dan, leading contender for Horse of the Year honors, kicked off his 2012 season with a record-setting, 10½-length win in the Ben Ali Stakes (G3); Eclipse Award finalist Groupie Doll won the Madison Stakes (G1) by three lengths; and Eclipse Award finalist Point of Entry notched his first stakes victory in the closing day Elkhorn Stakes (G2). 

In addition to the Central Bank Ashland and Toyota Blue Grass, Keeneland will showcase many of the nation’s top handicap horses in three other Grade 1 stakes – the aforementioned Madison Stakes (G1) on April 11, for older fillies and mares going seven furlongs; the Maker’s 46 Mile (G1), on the turf on April 12; and the Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1), for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the turf on April 13.  

The $200,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G3), for three-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles and a second Keeneland prep on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, will be held April 20.