LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– The warm weather is coming just in time for the opening day of Keeneland’s Spring Meet.
“For the first time in 60 years we’re opening the spring meet on Thursday,” said Amy Gregory, the director of communications at Keeneland.
The extra day is to make up for Easter Sunday, which falls on a race day this year. Folks at Keeneland say that horse racing lovers aren’t the only ones who will benefit.
“When we’re racing, it means a lot to the local economy. We have a major financial impact on hotels, hospitality, retail, restaurants,” said Gregory.
There are a lot of big plans for the opening weekend.
Keeneland will host Central Bank Thursday Night Live at 7 p.m. The event will return to Cheapside Park on April 11.
On Friday, it’s College Scholarship Day.
“If you’re a full-time college student, come out and register. We’re giving away two $10,000 scholarships that day, plus a $1,000 scholarship after each of the day’s races,” said Gregory.
On Saturday, you can see some of the big name races as we look ahead to the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.
“On Saturday, of course, we have the Central Bank Ashland Stakes and the Toyota Bluegrass and those are both major classic preps,” Gregory said.
If you want to reserve a seat or a table for any of these events, buy your tickets sooner rather than later.
Gates open at 1 p.m. Thursday and the first race is at 3 p.m. Every other race day, gates open at 11 a.m. and the first race starts at 1 p.m.
