Keeneland's Fall Meet, which concluded its 17-day run Saturday, set a record for total on-track attendance, while also registering gains in both on-track wagering and all-sources wagering, according to figures released by the track Sunday. The total on-track attendance of 276,543 exceeded last fall's 240,709 by nearly 15% and surpassed the previous record of 266,466 set during the 2013 Fall Meet. Average daily attendance of 16,267 increased nearly 15%, from 14,159 in 2015, and bested the 2013 Fall Meet record of 15,674.
All-sources wagering on Keeneland racing totaled $132,937,720–up 11.6% from last fall's $119,051,901. Average daily all-sources handle of $7,819,866 increased 11.6% versus $7,003,053 in the fall of 2015.
“The Fall Meet was simply spectacular,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “The world-class racing, idyllic weather and colorful fall landscape, wonderful food and fun-filled special events all combined to make this a very special race meet. I often saw fans linger until well after the last race to savor every minute of an afternoon spent in this extraordinary setting.”
Ken and Sarah Ramsey were the meet's leading owners, winning nine races to earn their 18th Keeneland title. Julien Leparoux earned his 11th meet riding title with 21 victories and Mark Casse edged Mike Maker to capture his third leading trainer title at Keeneland. Casse earned 13 wins during the fall, four of those in graded stakes: GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity with Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile), GIII Dixiana Bourbon with Keep Quiet (Fr) (Elusive City); GIII JPMorgan Chase Jessamine with La Coronel (Colonel John) and GII Hagyard Fayette with Noble Bird (Birdstone).
Casse and trainer Graham Motion each won four stakes during the fall to equal Racing Hall of Famers Ben Jones and D. Wayne Lukas and multiple Eclipse Award winner Todd Pletcher for most stakes wins by a trainer in a single race meet at Keeneland.
“We enjoyed championship-caliber racing throughout the Fall Meet, and we thank our horsemen for their strong support of Keeneland,” Vice President of Racing and Sales Bob Elliston said. “The quality and size of our race fields made Keeneland a popular racing product and drove increases in handle both at the track and nationwide.”
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