Keeneland Fall Meet Opens Friday with Highest Racing Purses in Track History
At 0h02, on October 2, 2024 • By KEENELAND
Keeneland’s 2024 Fall Meet, 17 days of exceptional Thoroughbred racing from Oct. 4-26, will stand out in track history for being the most lucrative racing season with 22 stakes worth a record $9.85 million; for having the richest race, the $1.25 million Coolmore Turf Mile (G1); and for being held amid the largest construction project since the track opened 88 years ago.
For the Fall Meet, Keeneland has boosted the purses for five stakes races by a total of $800,000. The purse of the Coolmore Turf Mile on Oct. 5 jumped by $125,000; the purse of the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana on Oct. 12 went from $600,000 to $750,000; and the Bryan Station (G3) on closing day doubled in value to $600,000. In addition, two stakes were upgraded, and both received $50,000 purse increases: the Perryville (G3) on Oct. 19 is now worth $300,000, and the value of the Bank of America Valley View (G2) on Oct. 25 is $350,000.
Opening the season is Fall Stars Weekend, three days with a total of 11 stakes worth $5.8 million. Eight stakes are part of the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In,” which awards the winners automatic starting positions and free entry into the 41st Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar.
Racing during the Fall Meet will be conducted Wednesdays through Sundays. Post time for the first race is 1 p.m.
