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8/7/2019 Affluent Page Presents: Vainglorious Thoroughbred Racing
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BY: MICHAEL SANIBEL
Keeneland’s Arabian
Horses and High StakeEvents Unleashed.
Racing
VaingloriousThoroughbred
VAINGLORIOUS THOROUGHBRED RACING
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The Keeneland Associationis located in the heart of thoroughbred country in
Lexington, Kentucky. Both a racetrack and auction
company, it has been dedicated to preserving the sport’s
finest traditions for over 70 years. During spring and
fall, it offers world-class races in a spectacular setting.
Representing the best in thoroughbred racing, the
venues prestigious auction company draws a diverse
clientele to the finest horses in a state-of-the-art
facility. Keeneland wants your visit to the racetrack to
be a mini-vacation, and they pull out all the stops to
make sure that happens. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the
first post time is 1:15 p.m., with races every half hour.
But racing is only part of the fun.
“...THE PRESTIGIOUS
AUCTION COMPANY DRAWS
A DIVERSE CLIENTELE TO
THE FINEST HORSES IN A
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY.”
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History
The mile-long track was built by Jack Keene on inherited
land in 1916 for the price of $52,000. The track was the first
to install a Fontana Safety Rail, which is designed to protect
horses and riders. It’s also the first in Kentucky to introducegrass racing and the totalizator system of wagering. While the
original match race between War Admiral and Seabiscuit took
place at the Pimlico track in Baltimore, it was at Keeneland
that the race was recreated for the 2003 movie of the same
title. Some cosmetic changes were made for the film, though,
including a remake of the Pimlico tote board.
Facilities Situated on almost 1,000 acres in a bucolic setting, the track is
surrounded by timeless architecture and beautiful scenery. The
grandstand accommodates 3,500 people and the five dining
rooms can serve more than 1,600 customers a day. The stable
area houses 57 barns that can shelter 1,951 horses. The KeenelandClubhouse is a private club for members and invited guests. Only
those who are involved in breeding thoroughbred horses and the
racing business have membership priority.
The Keeneland Library contains thousands of racing-related
books, videos, photographs, and newspaper clippings. It’s
a great source of reference on the history of the sport and
includes almost every edition of the Daily Racing Form and
American Racing Manual ever published. The equine gift shop is
considered by many to be one of the finest anywhere and offers
many luxurious brands.
“...A PRIVATE CLUB FOR MEMBERS AND INVITED GUESTS.
ONLY THOSE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN BREEDING
THOROUGHBRED HORSES AND THE RACING BUSINESS
HAVE MEMBERSHIP PRIORITY.”
VAINGLORIOUS THOROUGHBRED RACING
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Racing And WageringKeeneland holds a “Weekend Wagering Tent” every Friday and
Saturday, weather permitting. The tailgaters can start their day at
this green-and-white tent, which provides program sales, mutuel
windows, and television monitors. Drive-thru wagering is also
available for those short on time. Race enthusiasts who desire
the latest information have access to a free database called the
PolyCapping tool. It contains details on the winners of every raceheld since October 2006. The available data also includes the
field size, favorites, maintenance, weather, last start information,
position at key race points, and more. All the data can be
downloaded and sorted to allow for the selection of specific
criteria for handicapping each race.
Things To Do
While live racing occurs for three weeks every April and three
weeks every October, Keeneland welcomes visitors year-round.
During the off-racing months, simulcast broadcasts are available
through live feeds from other racetracks. There are hundreds of
televisions located throughout the facility. Visitors can witnessearly-morning workouts and enjoy the “Breakfast with the
Works” offered on Saturdays during racing season, which features
a hot buffet breakfast and live trackside commentary, as well as
special activities for children. You may find yourself sitting next
to a jockey during meals at the track kitchen and the Equestrian
Room. It’s quite possible that during your visit, you will be
treated to the sight of a new colt or filly in the beautiful paddock
area, as the grooms and trainers go about their daily routines.
There, you can observe all the work and preparation for the next
big race without being surrounded by thousands of spectators.
It’s also where fans can get a final look at the horses and their
jockeys before they make their grand entrance onto the track.
Bottom Line
If you aren’t already a racing fan, Keeneland will make you one.
This place provides the atmosphere and excitement where one
can become a real enthusiast. As Hal Price Headley, the track’s
first president, once said, “We want a place where those who
love horses can come and picnic with us and thrill to the sport
of the Bluegrass. We are not running a race plant to hear the
click of the mutuel machines. We don’t care whether the people
who come here bet or not. If they want to bet there is a place
for them to do it. But we want them to come out here to enjoy
God’s sunshine, the fresh air, and to watch horses race.” Clearly,
this National Historic Landmark is fully committed to its motto:“racing as it was meant to be.”
Keeneland , 859.254.3412, www.keeneland.com
VAINGLORIOUS THOROUGHBRED RACING
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