The upcoming Breeders Cup Championships in Lexington is bringing in record ticket sales. President Craig Fravel says sales have reached $19 million, surpassing the previous high of $10 million. Fravel says that doesn't necessarily mean attendance will be a record breaker. “You know we spent an awful lot of time and money creating a brand new campus over at Keeneland," he said. It’s got a lot of trackside dining facilities, so it’s really more a function of high quality, high end seating arrangements."
Saturday attendance for the 2014 Breeders Cup at Santa Anita was reportedly just over 61,000. Fravel says attendance at Keeneland is expected to top out between 42,000 - 45,000. He says the city, state, and various businesses have offered much in the lead up to the Breeders Cup. “I think first of all the level of enthusiasm is pretty much unprecedented, now it’s probably a little easier in a town that’s a little more compact than others, but people are just so excited about it,” added Fravel.
A weeklong festival at the end of October will include live music, art exhibits, and the Thriller Parade. The Breeders Cup racing is scheduled for October 30 and 31. ?
