affluent page presents: vainglorious thoroughbred racing

8/7/2019 Affluent Page Presents: Vainglorious Thoroughbred Racing

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BY: MICHAEL SANIBEL

Keeneland’s Arabian

Horses and High StakeEvents Unleashed.

Racing

VaingloriousThoroughbred

VAINGLORIOUS THOROUGHBRED RACING

AFFLUENT PAGE LUXURY INDEX | OCTOBER 2010



The Keeneland Associationis located in the heart of thoroughbred country in

Lexington, Kentucky. Both a racetrack and auction

company, it has been dedicated to preserving the sport’s

finest traditions for over 70 years. During spring and

fall, it offers world-class races in a spectacular setting.

Representing the best in thoroughbred racing, the

venues prestigious auction company draws a diverse

clientele to the finest horses in a state-of-the-art

facility. Keeneland wants your visit to the racetrack to

be a mini-vacation, and they pull out all the stops to

make sure that happens. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the

first post time is 1:15 p.m., with races every half hour.

But racing is only part of the fun.

“...THE PRESTIGIOUS

AUCTION COMPANY DRAWS

A DIVERSE CLIENTELE TO

THE FINEST HORSES IN A

STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY.”

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History

The mile-long track was built by Jack Keene on inherited

land in 1916 for the price of $52,000. The track was the first

to install a Fontana Safety Rail, which is designed to protect

horses and riders. It’s also the first in Kentucky to introducegrass racing and the totalizator system of wagering. While the

original match race between War Admiral and Seabiscuit took

place at the Pimlico track in Baltimore, it was at Keeneland

that the race was recreated for the 2003 movie of the same

title. Some cosmetic changes were made for the film, though,

including a remake of the Pimlico tote board.

Facilities Situated on almost 1,000 acres in a bucolic setting, the track is

surrounded by timeless architecture and beautiful scenery. The

grandstand accommodates 3,500 people and the five dining

rooms can serve more than 1,600 customers a day. The stable

area houses 57 barns that can shelter 1,951 horses. The KeenelandClubhouse is a private club for members and invited guests. Only

those who are involved in breeding thoroughbred horses and the

racing business have membership priority.

The Keeneland Library contains thousands of racing-related

books, videos, photographs, and newspaper clippings. It’s

a great source of reference on the history of the sport and

includes almost every edition of the Daily Racing Form and

American Racing Manual ever published. The equine gift shop is

considered by many to be one of the finest anywhere and offers

many luxurious brands.

“...A PRIVATE CLUB FOR MEMBERS AND INVITED GUESTS.

ONLY THOSE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN BREEDING

THOROUGHBRED HORSES AND THE RACING BUSINESS

HAVE MEMBERSHIP PRIORITY.”


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Racing And WageringKeeneland holds a “Weekend Wagering Tent” every Friday and

Saturday, weather permitting. The tailgaters can start their day at

this green-and-white tent, which provides program sales, mutuel

windows, and television monitors. Drive-thru wagering is also

available for those short on time. Race enthusiasts who desire

the latest information have access to a free database called the

PolyCapping tool. It contains details on the winners of every raceheld since October 2006. The available data also includes the

field size, favorites, maintenance, weather, last start information,

position at key race points, and more. All the data can be

downloaded and sorted to allow for the selection of specific

criteria for handicapping each race.

Things To Do

While live racing occurs for three weeks every April and three

weeks every October, Keeneland welcomes visitors year-round.

During the off-racing months, simulcast broadcasts are available

through live feeds from other racetracks. There are hundreds of

televisions located throughout the facility. Visitors can witnessearly-morning workouts and enjoy the “Breakfast with the

Works” offered on Saturdays during racing season, which features

a hot buffet breakfast and live trackside commentary, as well as

special activities for children. You may find yourself sitting next

to a jockey during meals at the track kitchen and the Equestrian

Room. It’s quite possible that during your visit, you will be

treated to the sight of a new colt or filly in the beautiful paddock

area, as the grooms and trainers go about their daily routines.

There, you can observe all the work and preparation for the next

big race without being surrounded by thousands of spectators.

It’s also where fans can get a final look at the horses and their

jockeys before they make their grand entrance onto the track.

Bottom Line

If you aren’t already a racing fan, Keeneland will make you one.

This place provides the atmosphere and excitement where one

can become a real enthusiast. As Hal Price Headley, the track’s

first president, once said, “We want a place where those who

love horses can come and picnic with us and thrill to the sport

of the Bluegrass. We are not running a race plant to hear the

click of the mutuel machines. We don’t care whether the people

who come here bet or not. If they want to bet there is a place

for them to do it. But we want them to come out here to enjoy

God’s sunshine, the fresh air, and to watch horses race.” Clearly,

this National Historic Landmark is fully committed to its motto:“racing as it was meant to be.”

Keeneland , 859.254.3412, www.keeneland.com


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affluent page presents: vainglorious thoroughbred racing

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