Photos from beautiful Keeneland's opening weekend
Although it is not my home state, Kentucky has always felt like it, particularly the Lexington area. The rolling green hills lined with wooden fences. The fields dotted with Thoroughbreds grazing and frolicking. The sign of the horse everywhere – on street signs, in ads downtown, in road names.
But one place in particular truly feels like home: Keeneland.
Nestled on the outskirts of Lexington, bordered by Blue Grass Airport and the historic Calumet Farm, and overlooking beautiful Kentucky scenery, Keeneland is certainly in the heart of horse country. Each year – for three weeks in the spring, and three weeks in the fall – thousands of race fans enter the gates surrounded by Keeneland’s idyllic ivy-walled stone walls to witness some of the nation’s highest quality racing.
After spending the summer in Kentucky interning at WinStar Farm – a summer during which I spent my fair amount of mornings at Keeneland – I had to return “home” to the bluegrass for an event that has become a tradition for me: Keeneland’s Fall Stars Weekend.
With a plethora of graded stakes and an unmatched racing atmosphere, Fall Stars is one of the best race weekends of the year.
A trip to Keeneland would be incomplete without attending morning works. Under a colorful sunrise sky that gives way to sprawling morning clouds, this is when the Thoroughbreds take to the track for their morning routine. A small amount of the crowd wanders in to take in the horses moving through the motions, but it is the most peaceful time of day. Keeneland opens its gates to allow fans to witness this, and while doing so, they just might catch a glimpse of some of racing's stars.
Wheels up: a plane takes off at Blue Grass Airport as a horse breezes at Keeneland. |
Vici, a son of War Front, overlooks the track before heading out for his morning exercise |
As if the captivating view of Thoroughbreds training among such beautiful scenery was not enough to make a morning trip too worthwhile, it also offers the chance to watch some of racing's top horses preparing for their next start.
Multiple graded stakes winner Kasaqui breezes a half-mile |
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) runner-up Valadorna (inside) works a half-mile in company |
On Friday, as the morning gave way to the afternoon, thousands of fans filed through the Keeneland gates to fill the grandstand and apron beneath a warm October sky. The air was electric as the first post for the long-awaited Keeneland Fall Meet neared. Once the gates sprung for the first race of the day, that atmosphere still did not disappear. How could it with more than 19,000 people in attendance on a warm, sunny day full of quality racing and beautiful scenery?
A field of horses gallops past a packed grandstand on opening day |
Colors galore: Admist changing trees, a field full of different silks turns for home. |
A turf races finishes in front of the Keeneland hedges. |
Spectators - well-dressed, as is usual for Keeneland - overlook the paddock |
The large, colorful crowd cheers for the horses down the stretch |
Keeneland hospitality has no limits. Pony riders line up along the rail to allow fans to interact with their horses. |
Young fans are given the chance to make memories with the ponies along the rail. |
Of course, Keeneland opening weekend has another nickname: Fall Stars. With a plethora of graded stakes and Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" races spanning across the weekend, it is one of the highest quality weekends of racing within the year. Friday kicked off Keeneland's stakes schedule with the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (gr. II) and the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (gr. I).
Popular sprinter Whitmore looked every bit the winner prior to the Phoenix... |
The Phoenix resulted in an exciting finish between Awesome Banner, Whitmore, and Limousine Liberal. In the end, it was indeed Whitmore. |
Heavenly Love was very impressive in the Alcibiades, winning by 5 1/2 lengths to clench a spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies |
Owner and breeder Debby Oxley led her filly into the winner's enclosure. |
Saturday offered another warm day at the track, this time with more clouds in the sky. But it was even more action-packed than the previous day, with five graded stakes on the card.
| Despite being a longshot, Bucchero made quite the impression in the paddock prior to the first stake of the day: the Woodford Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select (gr. II). |
| Ultimately, Bucchero defied his high odds to take the Woodford. |
| Meanwhile, Finley'sluckycharm's paddock appearance strongly supported her odds-on favoritism in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (gr. II). |
| Finley'sluckcharm's performance reflected her low odds, as well, as she coasted to a win in the TCA. |
| Zipessa became the second double-digit odds stakes winner of the afternoon with an electrifying win in the First Lady Stakes (gr. I) |
Joe Bravo emphatically thanked the Michael Stidham team as he returned to the front side with Zipessa. |
Zipessa and her groom happily head back to the barn. |
Free Drop Billy was yet another eye-catcher in the paddock as he prepared for the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (gr. I). |
Free Drop Billy coasted to a 4-length victory to clench a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I). |
An excited Albaugh Family Stables ownership group and Dale Romans team welcomed Free Drop Billy into the winner’s enclosure. |
Prior to the final stakes on the Saturday card - the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (gr. I) - French-bred Suedois looked to be a fierce competitor in the paddock, giving his groom all she could handle. |
| Suedois was just as fierce on the track, taking the Shadwell Turf Mile by a half-length. |
For those who attend Keeneland, it is difficult to pinpoint the best feature. However, whether it be the atmosphere, the scenery, or the quality of racing, one thing remains distinct: Keeneland is an incredibly special place.
"Keeneland is special for many reasons," said Ciara Bowen, who is experiencing her first Keeneland meet. "Between the gorgeous horses and the genteel atmosphere, I always feel like I'm back in an era where racing is truly appreciated. Everyone is happy about good horses, good drinks, and good friends -- and Keeneland has a way of making even a bad day better. Not everywhere can do that."
It's clear that Keeneland is a unique place that offers incomparable experiences.
“Keeneland is special because the state of Kentucky will travel near and far to celebrate horse racing,” said Samantha Bussanich, a University of Kentucky junior and employee of trainer Mark Casse. “And there is nothing more exciting than seeing your horse (Heavenly Love) win the Alcibiades by five lengths and going across that dirt track, hugging and celebrating with your crew and that grass winner’s circle photo.”
And from one photographer to another, I have to agree with Holly Smith, who described Keeneland with these words:
Keeneland brings horses and horsemen to the heart of the Thoroughbred breed: Lexington, Kentucky. The end result is high quality racing and an enthusiastic crowd passionate about the race day experience. Combined with the scenery of the bluegrass, time spent at Keeneland is unmatched.
