Keeneland Fall Meet
Go Baby Go!
There are two extra special times in Lexington, y’all…the Fall & Spring meets at Keeneland!
If you’re coming to visit our beautiful city, and only have time to visit one place, this Lexingtonian would suggest checking out Keeneland Racecourse.
There is a lot of tradition in going to Keeneland. For starters, a trip to the racetrack is not complete without the perfect tailgate snacks.
During our latest trip, we packed drumsticks from KFC, carrots & hummus, chips & salsa and some mimosas. It was simple, yet perfect.
You must come out early to get a good parking spot to tailgate before the races. Post time for the first race is at 1:05 p.m., so as they say, “the early bird gets the worm, y’all.” Often times, you’ll see groups with cornhole games as well as snacks & a drink in their hand.
After you spend some time tailgating with friends, it’s time to go inside. Once inside the historic gates, you are welcomed into a magical place.
From the Paddock, where you can watch the horses paraded before each race, the gift shop & the track, every experience is special.
One of my favorite sights at the track is the jockey statues. Each one is painted so intricately.
After taking in some of the sights, it’s time to bet on some horses!
Whether it’s the first or last race of the day, the excitement is palpable. Looking at your program, you choose your favorite horse as the famous bugler, Steve Buttleman, performs the Call to Post.
With your betting slip in hand, you wait for the race to begin, looking at the big screen, watching the “Minutes to Post” clock count down.
The majestic thoroughbreds are ushered to the starting gate, then, for the shortest moment, the track falls silent as everyone waits for the gates to fly open.
The bell sounds, and they’re off!
That’s when the crowd erupts, cheering on their picks and watching carefully as the horses race around the track.
As the horses near the finish line, the crowd is so loud, you can barely hear yourself think. Everyone’s on their feet as the horses cross the finish line. That’s when the nerves really kick in, as you wait to see the official results to see if your horse won. Cheers & sighs erupt as the official winners are posted…and the process begins once again as fans prepare for the next race.
The Keeneland experience is rooted deep with tradition, Whether it’s your first time, or you’ve been coming for years, it’s always filled with moments you won’t soon forget.
When you grow up in Kentucky, an innate love of horse racing is deep in your blood. There’s something special about it, that you just can’t put into words.
So, if you haven’t been, y’all are welcome to join the next time we head to the track!
