Another fall meet gets underway this Friday at the historic Keeneland Race Track. October racing in Lexington is expected to pack in the crowds like never before.
The 17 day fall meet this year is a predecessor to the $26 million Breeders Cup World Championships at Keeneland. President Bill Thomason views the month’s events as another opportunity to create lifelong racing fans. He says supplemental seating for the Breeders Cup is in place. “Well it’s all there, so the seating is actually constructed," he said. "Where we are now is we’re putting interior finishes on all of the structures.”
Thomason says that work includes wiring, air conditioning and heat, wagering terminals, food service, and other amenities. He says Keeneland officials have been working on different traffic patterns for the past two or three years. There are plans to park more patrons on the hill and less near the track.
Preparation for the Breeders includes making accommodations for fans of an out-of-town football team. Vice President Vince Gabbert says the Lexington track will be a home away from home for Auburn supporters. “We’re actually gonna be the official RV park that week for the Auburn fans, cause a lot of them travel in RV’s," he explained. "So we’re actually gonna be the official RV park for them to come and have the whole week to themselves here and be able to shuttle back and forth to the stadium.”
A win during the fall meet at Keeneland in October could also carry some additional significance. Vice President of Racing Rogers Beasley says a ‘win and you’re in’ opportunity will occur in several fall meet races. “Well we have eight races, but there are races all along the year where you do it, and your entry fee for the Breeders Cup is then paid,” said Beasley. “That 40-50 thousand dollar entry fee gets waived. That’s huge.”
Keeneland officials anticipate the attention given to the Breeders Cup to help boost attendance during the regular fall meet as well.?
