Keeneland Fall Meet to Offer More than $10.5 Million in Purses

Keeneland is gearing up for its 2005 fall meeting Oct.7-29, which will distribute more than $10.5 million in total purses and will serve as a springboard for the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Oct. 29 at Belmont.

"At Keeneland, we strive to conduct racing at its highest level," said Rogers Beasley, Keeneland's director of racing. "Our fall meet is expected once again to bring in the top horses and horsemen from around the world."

The meeting begins with Fallstars Weekend, three days of top racing highlighted by eight stakes races --three of which are grade I events. Opening day features the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (gr. II) and $150,000 Sycamore Breeders' Cup (gr. III).

October 8 will be the richest day of the meet, anchored by the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. I), along with the $500,000 Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) and the $250,000 Phoenix Breeders' Cup (gr. III).

Sunday, Oct. 9 offers another three stakes --the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster (gr. I), $400,000 WinStar Galaxy (gr. II), and the $100,000 Woodford.

The fourth grade I event of the fall meeting will take place on Saturday, Oct. 15 with the $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. This invitational race for 3-year-old fillies run at nine furlongs is a highly respected international turf race.

Quality racing continues throughout the race meet with the $300,000 Lexus Raven Run (gr. II) for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs Saturday, Oct.22; the $200,000 Perryville (gr. III)-- Presented by Budweiser-- Oct.14; the $300,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (gr. III) Oct. 16; the $100,000 Buffalo Trace Franklin County Oct. 20; the $125,000 Woodford Reserve Bourbon Stakes (Listed) for 2-year-old fillies at 8 1/2 furlongs on the turf Oct.28; and the $150,000 Fayette (gr. III) on closing day Saturday, Oct. 29.

Post time is 1:15 p.m. each race day, except for closing day when post time will be noon to accommodate an abbreviated racing program of five live races and the simulcast of the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships from Belmont Park.