Keeneland Enjoys Record-Setting Spring Meet

(from Keeneland report)
On-track wagering totaled an all-time record $28,010,988 during Keeneland's 15-day spring meeting, which ended Friday.

An all-time record 232,826 people attended Keeneland's meeting. It eclipsed the previous high of 232,499 for 17 days in the fall of 2003.

The wagering total includes money bet on Keeneland races and incoming simulcasts from throughout the country. It topped the previous record of $27,591,341set during last fall's 17-day meeting. By comparison wagering at Keeneland in 2003 totaled $24,758,713, an average of $1,650,581.

The daily average mutuel handle -- $1,867,39 9-- also was a record, bettering the $1,701,013 average during the 16-day, 2002 spring meeting.

Both the total attendance and daily average attendance were up 13.1% from last spring.

The daily average attendance, 15,522, also was a record, topping 14,649 for 15 days in the spring of 2001.

Pat Day was the meeting's leading jockey with 21 wins and Steve Asmussen topped the trainers' standings with nine. Tied with five wins each for leading owner were Heiligbrodt Racing Stable and Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey.