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Keeneland is everyman’s gentility at the races in Lexington, Kentucky.
My employer has a large office in Louisville and I had the opportunity to meet clients there and enjoy with them a day at Keeneland, my first-ever time at a horse race.
Keeneland has seasons of Race Meetings in April and October. The fashion parade is on full display, and Keeneland does have its luxury boxes, yet I was surprised at the reasonable price. General admission is $5 and a tempting hot dog at the concession stand is $3.50. $40 gains an all-day table at the Phoenix Room with buffet lunch, though no direct view of the track, instead accessed across the hall on a viewing platform.
The frequent traveler should note that the track is just across the highway from Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport (LEX). You can walk over in a layover.
The tailgating was my favorite, ranging from white tablecloth and champagne set-ups to bow-tied youths playing cornhole, a game new to me.
The races are exciting. One was terrifying delayed when a horse jumped up and trapped its leg in the starting gate. It was eventually extracted and walked away with enough strength that the mortified crowd was relieved.
Strolling the grounds is a pleasure. Meander around the paddock to see horses on parade and painters whiling away the hours.
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I make it a point to go there at least twice a year. If you liked Keeneland, I suggest trying out the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington too.
Have you been to Churchill in Louisville yet? I think their meets run at the same time as Keeneland so you could hit them both up in a weekend if you wanted. Churchill is a little different as it is the middle of a neighborhood. Different vibe but still pretty cool, and a good museum to boot. As far as beauty of the track though, you started at the top with Keeneland.
@Andy – due to business constraints we only had time to drive by Churchill Downs, I have been lobbying to be part of the company group for the annual client party for the Derby but I now have a last-minute trip to China. We did spend a day in Louisville in meetings had one dinner at Proof, I had to take a long conference call during which I walked its modern art galleries, another dinner at St. Charles Exchange, drove by the Louisville Slugger Museum but was already closed, and a breakfast at Toast.. Great city, great meals, I will… Read more »
@Ctb – if you know a bit about it, can you suggest the ‘must see’ venues around the world?
It’s probably just me, but I think there needs to be more horse racing content on Boarding Area!