Announcements have been made for 2021 Keeneland Spring Meet Schedule
The 2021 Keeneland Spring Meet Schedule will feature 18 stakes. One of those horse races will be the 97th running of the Toyota Blue Grass G2 stakes. The purse of this G2 stakes race alone will be $800,000. Another prestigious thoroughbred race will be the 84th running of the Central Bank Ashland. The purse of this G1 stakes will be $400,000.
SEE ALSO: 2022 Keeneland Spring Meet Schedule, Tickets, Post Times, and Race Previews
The total purse of the 2021 Keeneland Spring Meet climbs to $4.1 million combined. Both of these classic prep thoroughbred races are prominent fixtures on the national level. The Keeneland Spring Stakes Meet of 2021 will run from April 2nd through April 23rd. However, Keeneland will be closed on Easter Sunday. That holiday falls on April 4th this year, just after the launch of this 15-day racing season.
Keeneland Post Times
The 2021 post time for the first race of the day during the Keeneland Spring Stakes Meet will be 1:05pm ET.
Will There Be Fans In Attendance?
Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin emphasizes, “Keeneland is excited to welcome racing back to the Bluegrass in April,” She goes on to say, “with the cancellation of last year’s Spring Meet because of the pandemic, it is critical to the Thoroughbred industry that we are able to offer our full slate of April stakes on their traditional dates. These races are key fixtures on the international racing calendar.”
The exact word on fans in attendance this season it yet to be announced. However, Arvin states, “Keeneland is working on plans for ticketing options under our COVID-19 safety protocols and we plan to make an announcement in the next few weeks.”
Ticketing Options
Tickets for Spring Meet are available at tickets.keeneland.com.
Ticket Details
- Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays: $20 per person
- Fridays and Saturdays: $25 per person
- Saturday, April 3, Blue Grass Stakes : $30 per person
Race Preview
The Keeneland Spring Meet for 2021 will feature 10 stakes on grass, and 8 stakes on dirt. It also features key prep races for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.
Opening Day
Keeneland Opening Day is a fan-favorite regardless of any other details! Many Kentuckians even claim it is the first official day of Spring in the Commonwealth. However, in this instance we’re here to outline the horse racing.
On Friday, April 2, there will be three stakes races. The Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3), Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select, and Palisades Turf Sprint. The Beaumont is worth 17 points towards qualifying for the Kentucky Oaks in May. The winner of this stakes will earn 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.
Opening Weekend
The following day into Opening Weekend only gains speed as it features a blockbuster card. Saturday April 3 will host six stakes, with a couple of those holding significance in May. The Toyota Blue Grass and the Central Bank Ashland are worth 180 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Winners of each stakes look to earn 100 qualifying points in their path towards competing in the first weekend in May.
Also planned for the day are two races for fillies and/or mares, and two races for 3-year-olds and up. These include the $300,000 Madison (G1), $200,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association, $200,000 Shakertown (G2), and a $200,000 (G3) Commonwealth for older horses.
April 9th
The remainder of the 2021 Spring Meet is scheduled to take place on Wednesday through Sunday. The Stakes action will pick back up on Friday, April 9th with the $300,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1). This will mark the 25th time this race has been held under the sponsorship of the famed Loretto, Kentucky bourbon distiller. Following this race will be the $100,000 TVG Limestone Turf Sprint.
April 10th
April 10th brings four more stakes, including $300,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1), and the $200,000 Stonestreet Lexington (G3). The latter of these is one of the final prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. This race presents 34 Derby qualifying points up for grabs, with the winner earning 20. The $150,000 Ben Ali (G3) and $100,000 Giant’s Causeway (L) conclude that day’s racing.
April 16th-17th
Later into this racing season you will see older horses showcased. The $100,000 Baird Doubledogdare (G3) will be ran on April 16th. This marks the 10th time this stakes has been sponsored by Baird (formerly Hilliard Lyons). On April 17th, the $200,000 Elkhorn (G2) will feature older males on turf.
April 23rd – Closing Day
Keeneland Spring 2021 will wind down on an April 23rd closing day. The $150,000 Bewitch (G3) for fillies and mares will close out the race meeting.
2021 Keeneland Spring Meet Stakes Schedule
| Date | Stakes | Division | Distance |
| April 2 | $150,000 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3) | 3YOs | 1 1/16 Miles (T) |
| April 2 | $150,000 Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select | 3YO Fillies | 7 Furlongs, 184’ |
| April 2 | $100,000 Palisades Turf Sprint | 3YOs | 5½ Furlongs (T) |
| April 3 | $800,000 Toyota Blue Grass (G2) | 3YOs | 1 1/8 Miles |
| April 3 | $400,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) | 3YO Fillies | 1 1/16 Miles |
| April 3 | $300,000 Madison (G1) | 4YOs & Up, F&M | 7 Furlongs |
| April 3 | $200,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association | 3YO Fillies | 1 Mile (T) |
| April 3 | $200,000 Shakertown (G2) | 3YOs & Up | 5½ Furlongs (T) |
| April 3 | $200,000 Commonwealth (G3) | 4YO & Up | 7 Furlongs |
| April 9 | $300,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) | 4YOs & Up | 1 Mile (T) |
| April 9 | $100,000 TVG Limestone Turf Sprint | 3YO Fillies | 5½ Furlongs (T) |
| April 10 | $300,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1) | 4YOs & Up, F&M | 1 1/16 Miles (T) |
| April 10 | $200,000 Stonestreet Lexington (G3) | 3YOs | 1 1/16 Miles |
| April 10 | $150,000 Ben Ali (G3) | 4YOs & Up | 1 1/8 Miles |
| April 10 | $100,000 Giant’s Causeway (L) | 3YOs & Up, F&M | 5½ Furlongs (T) |
| April 16 | $100,000 Baird Doubledogdare (G3) | 4YOs & Up, F&M | 1 1/16 Miles |
| April 17 | $200,000 Elkhorn (G2) | 4YOs & Up | 1½ Miles (T) |
| April 23 | $150,000 Bewitch (G3) | 4YOs & Up, F&M | 1½ Miles (T) |
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