The 85th running of the Blue Grass S. (G1), one of the most prestigious races
leading to the Kentucky Derby (G1), will be run on April 11 during Keeneland’s
2009 spring race meeting that opens on Friday. A 1 1/8-mile race that is worth
$750,000, the Blue Grass has been the springboard for 19 horses that have gone
on to win the Derby. The 183 horses that were nominated to this year’s race
represent the highest number of nominations for the race in more than two
decades.
During Keeneland’s 15-day spring season that runs through April 24, the track
is offering $3.8 million in purses for 17 stakes races in one of the richest
stakes programs in North America. Post time for the first race each day is 1:05
p.m. (EDT). Keeneland will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and on Easter
Sunday, April 12.
The first half of the Keeneland meeting will include four Grade 1 stakes. In
addition to the Blue Grass, those races are the $400,000 Ashland S. for
three-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on April 4; the $300,000 Madison S. for
older fillies and mares at seven furlongs on April 9; and the $300,000 Maker’s
Mark Mile for four-year-olds and up at one mile on turf on April 10.
The Ashland, the filly counterpart to the Blue Grass, will be run for the
72nd year. The race is an important steppingstone to the Kentucky Oaks (G1),
which is run the day before the Kentucky Derby.
The Madison is making its debut as a Grade 1 race after being elevated from
Grade 2 status thus year. With the upgrade, Keeneland now runs a total of 10
Grade 1 races during its spring and fall racing seasons.
Keeneland’s other Derby prep, the Lexington S. (G2), will be contested at 1
1/16 miles on April 18.
This spring, horseplayers will continue to find plenty of action at Keeneland
with the debut of rolling daily doubles, beginning with the first race and
continuing through the day’s card. On April 10, the track will offer the Maker’s
Mark Mile-Blue Grass Double, requiring players to pick the winners of both Grade
1 races. Keeneland will offer a $200,000-guaranteed all-stakes Pick 4 on Blue
Grass Day, covering the Jenny Wiley S. (G2), Shakertown S. (G3), Commonwealth S.
(G2) and Blue Grass.
As always, fans can watch Keeneland’s races live on the track’s website at no
charge.
Meanwhile, special events will be held on nearly every day of the Keeneland
season. Opening day is College Scholarship Day, which will award 10 $1,000
scholarships after each race.
Breakfast With the Works, popular with families, will be held every Saturday
morning. The event will begin at 7 a.m. with trackside commentary about how
horses prepare for a race and aspects of Keeneland and Thoroughbred racing.
Those in attendance might see a superstar or a Derby hopeful training on the
racetrack. Southern-style buffet breakfast and free children’s activities are
available. Breakfast With the Works continues with a free paddock demonstration
at 8:45 a.m.
Each Saturday, jockeys and special guests also will participate in “Meet and
Greet” events after the Noon playing of the national anthem, giving fans an
opportunity to mingle with their favorites for some 20 to 30 minutes.
On April 17, Keeneland jockeys will participate in the Jockey Colony
Autograph Signing, which will benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
That evening, a karaoke-style competition called Riders Up! will be held at the
Keeneland Entertainment Center to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
Tickets are available for Riders Up! at jockeysguild.com.