Keeneland closed its 2009 fall season on Saturday with increases in total
wagering for the 17-day race meeting, which began October 9.
Though final handle figures are not yet confirmed, combined on-track and
off-track wagering totaled $119,055,703, up 8.7 percent from $109,482,898 in
2008. Average daily total wagering was $7,003,277, up from $6,440,170 last fall.
On-track wagering on live racing totaled $17,337,248, down 9.1 percent from
$19,065,818 for the 2008 fall meeting. Average daily on-track wagering was
$1,019,838 compared to $1,121,519.
Wagering was boosted by quality, competitive racing. Keeneland’s signature
FallStars opening weekend produced numerous entries in the upcoming Breeders’
Cup World Championships, notably Alcibiades (G1) winner NEGLIGEE (Northern
Afleet), Shadwell Turf Mile (G1) winner COURT VISION (Gulch), Breeders’ Futurity
(G1) winner NOBLE’S PROMISE (Cuvee), First Lady (G1) winner DIAMONDRELLA (GB)
(Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]) and Spinster (G1) winner MUSHKA (Empire Maker).
Unseasonably cool, rainy weather throughout most of the meeting impacted
on-track attendance, which totaled 192,211 for the meet, a decrease of 19.6
percent from last fall’s 239,117. Average daily attendance was 11,307 compared
to 14,065 in 2008.
“While the inclement weather adversely affected attendance, thanks to
Polytrack, our racing remained at a consistently high level,” Keeneland
President and CEO Nick Nicholson said. “Our ability to card full race fields
every day during the meeting made Keeneland an attractive simulcast product, and
contributed to increases in wagering.”
Ken McPeek outdistanced his peers to take his first Keeneland training title
with 17 wins, including victories in the Breeders’ Futurity with Noble’s Promise
and Jessamine S. with HOUSE OF GRACE (Limehouse). It was the most wins by
a trainer during the fall since the 17 recorded by Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne
Lukas in the fall of 1995. Lukas, Keeneland’s all-time leading trainer, holds
the fall season record of 22 wins, set in 1989.
Todd Pletcher finished second in the standings with six wins.
Jockey Robby Albarado earned his second consecutive fall meet riding title
and fourth overall (joining spring 2002 and 2004) with 25 wins. Albarado won two
stakes during the fall — the Shadwell Turf Mile with Court Vision and the
Dowager S. with BLACK MAMBA (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe).
Julien Leparoux ranked second in the standings with 20 wins, while Kent
Desormeaux was third with 16 wins.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey accumulated five wins to capture their sixth leading
owner title at Keeneland. The Ramseys have previously earned honors in the fall
2008, fall 2007 (tie), spring 2006, spring 2004 (tie) and fall 2002 (tie).
George Strawbridge Jr.’s Augustin Stable and Eugene Melnyk’s Melnyk Racing
Stables Inc. tied for second with three wins each.