Keeneland's 15-day Spring Meet, which will run from Friday, April 3 through Friday, April 24, has scheduled 19 stakes worth a total of $9.55 million to set a season record for total stakes purses, the track announced Tuesday. In addition to offering two marquee events for 3-year-olds–the $1.25 million GI Toyota Blue Grass for males and the $750,000 GI Central Bank Ashland for fillies–the meet includes three races that have been upgraded for 2026 and also have increased purses.
Contributing to stakes purses for the season is $2.25 million from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF), pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation.
“Keeneland's Spring Meet is a celebration of the very best of Thoroughbred racing,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “This is a credit to the outstanding horses from leading owners; the competition among successful trainers and jockeys; and the knowledge and enthusiasm of our fans and horseplayers. They all contribute to Keeneland's success, which generates a lot of pride throughout Central Kentucky.”
Spring Meet stakes that were upgraded and received $50,000 purse hikes were the $400,000 GII Giant's Causeway on April 12; the $400,000 GII Baird Doubledogdare on April 17; and the $350,000 GIII FanDuel Limestone on April 10.
For this season, Keeneland has adjusted the stakes schedule to accommodate the two stakes that would have been run opening Sunday, April 5, which this year is Easter when Keeneland is closed for racing. The GII MiddleGround Capital Beaumont moved to opening day, and the Palisades Stakes will be run Sunday, April 19.
Opening day, April 3, now presents four stakes–all for 3-year-olds–led by the year's first Grade I event for sophomore fillies: the 88th running of the $750,000 Central Bank Ashland at 1 1/16 miles. The other stakes that day are the $400,000 GII MiddleGround Capital Beaumont, at seven furlongs on the dirt for fillies; the $600,000 GIII UK HealthCare Transylvania at 1 1/16 miles on the turf; and the $400,000 Lafayette Stakes, a seven-furlong dirt race. Entries for opening day will be taken Monday, March 30.
On the meet's first Saturday, April 4, the 102nd Toyota Blue Grass highlights five stakes on the card, annually Keeneland's biggest race day of the spring season. Joining the Toyota Blue Grass are the $650,000 GI Resolute Racing Madison, for fillies and mares at seven furlongs on the dirt; the $500,000 GII Appalachian Presented by Japan Racing Association, for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on the grass; the $400,000 GII Valvoline Global Shakertown, for 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf; and the $350,000 GIII Commonwealth, for older horses at seven furlongs on the dirt.
The Toyota Blue Grass and the Central Bank Ashland both are worth 200 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks, respectively. The winners of each stakes will earn 100 qualifying points to the respective classic. The early nomination deadline for the two races is Feb. 18. Late nominations are due March 18.
Once again, Spring Meet stakes are scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
On Friday, April 10, Keeneland will run two turf stakes: the $650,000 GI Maker's Mark Mile, for 4-year-olds and up at one mile, and the $350,000 GIII FanDuel Limestone, for 3-year-old fillies going 5 1/2 furlongs.
Two stakes the next day are the $650,000 GI Jenny Wiley, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares, and the $400,000 GIII Stonestreet Lexington, for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. The final prep on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Stonestreet Lexington will award a total of 42 Derby qualifying points. Of those, 20 points will go to the winner.
Sunday, April 12 will feature the $400,000 GIII Giant's Causeway, a 5 1/2-furlong turf race for fillies and mares.
Friday, April 24 is closing day of the Spring Meet when Keeneland will showcase racing and its world-famous auctions. Highlighting the race card is the $350,000 GIII Bewitch Presented by Keeneland Sales, for fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles on the turf. After the races, Keeneland will hold the April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale.
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