Keeneland has announced that they will allow a limited number of spectators to attend the 2021 Keeneland Spring Meet which is set to be held April 2-23. Due to COVID-19, a limited number of daily tickets will be available to the public and all tickets will be sold in advance. 

When you think of Kentucky and horse racing your mind automatically goes to the Kentucky Derby. However, Kentucky has much more to offer beyond the first Saturday in May or even the famed Churchill Downs. Less than 80 miles from Churchill Downs, on 147 acres of beautifully landscaped farmland, sits the lesser known Keeneland Racetrack. Keeneland’s grounds offer breathtaking views, and aside from the two months of racing (April and October), and multiple thoroughbred sales throughout the year, the grounds are open daily to the public year round.  Tours are offered for every interest whether you would like to learn more about the history of Keeneland or you want to get a behind the scenes look at the course’s racing and/or sales operations.

While the tours are certainly exciting, the best time to visit is during the races! Keeneland has two race meets each year, the Spring Meet in April and the Fall Meet in October. The races last all day and you can even come early and tailgate on “the Hill.” There are many different ticket options in every price range. You can get a reserve seat in the grandstands or even reserve a spot in one of the dining rooms. The Limestone Cafe offers casual dining in the Keeneland sales pavilion. The Phoenix Dining Room is business casual and has buffet-style dining overlooking the paddock. The Lexington and Kentucky rooms are both business formal and also have buffet-style dining overlooking the track. The Equestrian Room is located on the ground floor of the grandstand adjacent to the finish line and offers business casual dining.

Personally my favorite option is to buy a general admission ticket. With this you aren’t guaranteed to have a seat but you can stroll around the grounds, view the races trackside, and even walk over to the paddocks to watch the trainers and groomers bringing the horses out and getting them ready for the upcoming races. With so many things to see and do, who has time to sit in a seat anyway?! There’s a nice shaded grassy area at the end of the stands that makes a great place for kids to play between races. Our toddler son loved it and we even saw several adults relaxing on blankets under the trees.

Then there’s “The Hill.” The Hill is a parking area designated for tailgating and is located next to the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center. Tailgating occurs on Fridays and Saturdays during race season and I must say that tailgating at Keeneland is taken to a whole new level. The Hill has amenities like a huge television screen, Bluegrass music, betting options, and food trucks that make tailgating so enjoyable that you may not even want to go inside. If you do decide to head to the grandstands though, there is a shuttle service available to take you there.

Please note, due to concerns surrounding COVID-19, no tailgating will be permitted on the Keeneland grounds during the 2021 Spring Meet at Keeneland.

Regardless of where you choose to enjoy race day, you can’t go to Keeneland without placing a few bets. So, be sure and grab a program on your way in (they are available at the gates for a few bucks) where you can find post times and lists of horses in each race. From there you can pick your horses, whether you go for the long shots or the horse with the best odds or even if you just pick the horse with the best name (my personal strategy). Then, you can head on over to Wagering Central and place your bets. If you aren’t quite sure how to bet just ask one of Keeneland’s Betologists who are available throughout Keeneland on race day to help answer any wagering questions you might have.

Now all thats left to do is sit back and enjoy yourself while you cheer on your horse! The 2021 Keeneland Spring Meets will open on April 2 and continue through Friday, April 23. No races will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays or Easter Sunday (April 4th). Each day the gates will open at 11 am and the first post time will be 1:05 pm. Some of the highlights during the Spring Meet this year include the $800,000 Toyota Bluegrass and the $400,000 Central Bank Ashland. In these races horses can earn points towards the Road to the Kentucky Derby and the Road to the Kentucky Oaks respectively. However, expect a bigger crowd and plan to arrive early if you choose to go during these important races. Keeneland is absolutely beautiful during spring and no matter what dates you choose to go, the Keeneland Spring Race Meet is one Kentucky event that can’t be missed!

Keeneland Spring Meet 2021 Ticketing

March 8-13 – Tickets to the Lexington/Kentucky Room, Phoenix Room and Reserved Grandstand will be sold through a ticket selection process

March 24: General Admission tickets will be available to the public

Find more information and book tickets here