As most of u know, I’m moving to Keeneland on Wednesday. Since the Bluegrass Stakes are coming up in a couple of weeks, I am going to de-virginize two of my nonhorsey relatives to the life that is horse racing. What do I need to know to set them up right and rock their new-to-racing world? Money, within reason, is not an object. I assume its sun dress and coat and tie dresscode? Box seats? Where are the best seats? Just contact Keeneland directly? I know it sounds strange but I’ve never actually attended a race as a patron…pony girl, groom, jockey yes, but not patron. Thanks!
Unless it is a very nasty day (wet, cold, etc), BG stakes day is PACKED!! Probably the most popular day of the year. Call Keeneland NOW about reserved seats, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they are already sold out.
Arrive early to tailgate. Many people get there around 10-11am, set up camp in the “parking lot” (actually more like a beautiful park setting, under the tall trees on the lawn). Bring food, drink, games (cornhole is popular), and socialize. The races don’t start until 1. If you don’t get reserved seats, get in the grandstand early; stake out a bench near the rail or bring your own chairs (even better). If it’s a nice day, don’t forget the sunscreen!! 
Racing at Keeneland is a beautiful experience. All the locals, including the non-horsey folk, bring their friends and visitors; everyone loves it.
I’m sure they’re sold out, but it’s always good to double-check. Ebay is an option, too.
The winner will NOT win the Kentucky Derby.
Very Dressy, and from my experience, can be very chilly. Racing as it ought to be, without slots and other forms of gambling. One of the places that actually focuses on the horses, which is unusual these days.
Well, if this was MONTHS ago, I would say get some grandstand seats on the finish line and make some dining reservations for the Phoenix room. But since it is not months ago, I would say, dress nicely, wear some VERY comfortable shoes, be prepared for some massive crowds, and work up an appetite for hot dogs.
If I had people visiting, I would drag them out to Keeneland at 6 a.m. to let them stand at the rail and listen to the horses breezing by. Then I would take them to the training track so they can see some babies learning the ropes. Then I would take them to the track kitchen for some real “stick to the ribs” track food. Everyone goes home and takes a nap, comes back for the afternoon racing.
Find an article on line that explains betting so they can be somewhat educated as to what they are doing at the tote windows.
Just want to say something about Vineyridge’s post:
Racing as it ought to be, without slots and other forms of gambling. One of the places that actually focuses on the horses, which is unusual these days.
Yes, it IS racing “as it ought to be”. But bear in mind that the track is heavily, heavily subsidized by the sales at Keeneland. I suspect that if the sales continue their downward trend, that there will be a renewed interest in getting some discreetly-placed slots in there. Racetracks are having a horrible time keeping in business right now. Keeneland is fortunate. And very, very special.
Keeneland’s Blue Grass Stakes page:
http://www.keeneland.com/bluegrassstakes/default.aspx
Like last year TVG (TeleVision Games) will have exclusive broadcast rights for the 2009 Blue Grass Stakes.
TVG will be on-site every day of the Keeneland Spring meet. TVG’s Original Programs Blinkers off, :58 Flat and Trackside Live will be hosted live from Keeneland. TVG will provide unprecedented pre-race coverage in the week leading up to the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes including live coverage of the post position draw, and a special edition of TVG’s critically-acclaimed program The Works. TVG’s live raceday coverage of the Bluegrass will feature state-of-the-art broadcast technology and enhanced camera angles.
Last year’s coverage was interesting, however as suggested above by vineyridge the winner of this synthetic track is less apt to be a Kentucky Derby powerhouse. So I watch it more for the race itself as opposed to it being a KYD barometer and critical prep race.
It could be different this year with automatic Derby starter, Mafaaz, who won the Kempton race in the UK running in this race and the US for his first time. Joe Drape of the New York Times thinks he’s the No. 1 horse right now 
ETA: I’ve never had a bad day at Keeneland and I’ve been there when it was unseasonably freezing cold, raining, packed to the gills with people, and I couldn’t buy a winner if my life depended on it. However I wasn’t there when it snowed during the 2007 spring meet 
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;3988442]
Keeneland’s Blue Grass Stakes page:
ETA: I’ve never had a bad day at Keeneland and I’ve been there when it was unseasonably freezing cold, raining, packed to the gills with people, and I couldn’t buy a winner if my life depended on it. However I wasn’t there when it snowed during the 2007 spring meet ;)[/QUOTE]
Hey, I was there when it snowed. :lol:
Funny thing about the Keeneland meets; everyone always expects it to be warm in the spring and it’s often very cold. They expect it to be cold in the fall and it’s usually warm or hot.
It’s funny you say that. I went to Keeneland to watch morning works a couple years ago in May, a week after the Derby, and it was cold & rainy. I had a great time anyway --John Ward came up to me, introduced himself, asked me about my Suffolk cap, then shook my hand & thanked me (!!!) when I told him about the TB retraining I’ve done-- and I was actually kind of glad it rained (poured!) because I got to see polytrack, in action, at its best.
That’s so cheesy.
:lol:
Dress nicely, people watch, take pictures and be fabulous!
Be prepared for insane traffic leaving and sometimes going. Since you will be licensed by the time the Bluegrass rolls around, use your license to get in. No problems getting anywhere with that.
I remember that snow storm…I was ponying that race LOL I had snow stuck to my darn eyelashes it was coming down so hard!!
The funny thing about Keeneland, is that you’ll see people in dresses and Derby hats, and others in jeans and t-shirts. And it can be 40 degrees, windy and raining and those girls will still be out in little skimpy dresses and no jackets! :eek:
I, personally have always dressed up nicely when going to Keeneland…pretty much every weekend for the last 4 meets and fit right in. Generally nice tops, skirts, dress pants/capris and heels. We also always get the bench outside of the jocks room (gotta love being friends with all the jockey’s wives and girlfriends lol) so I didn’t have to worry about my feet hurting so much. But if I was going to be up walking around all day, definitely wear more comfortable shoes.
I’m sure you’ll be bringing them in the mornings, seeing as how you’ll be galloping as well! Traffic is always a pain, so we usually park on the backside in a spot of someone we know isn’t going to be there that day. Otherwise you’ll be walking forever it seems, and often through the grass…which in heels is never very fun.
The hot dogs are fantastic, don’t be afraid. And if you go upstairs to get a drink other than beer, be prepared to fight your way through the crowds!! Hopefully it’ll be a beautiful day this year, I wish I could be there! Have lots of fun and tell them to set a betting budget so as not to have a bad day if they aren’t on the winning side!!
[QUOTE=LaurieB;3988842]
Hey, I was there when it snowed. :lol:[/QUOTE]
A wee bit hard to even see the runners let alone the tote or trakus: here comes … someone covered in snow down the stretch- I’m sure this guy is thinking what did I do to get shipped to a track in Sweden?
Props to Keeneland for innovation as I didn’t see this bfeore: they offer on-line and for free trakus detail during the meet - example
Online visitors can access free detailed race information. Using the Trakus system to instantaneously digitize Keeneland races means the introduction of new innovative data elements that instantly generate detailed race results–Trakus race information is immediately presented at each point-of-call, and full results data is available every ½ furlong for trip distance, peak and average speeds, timing, running order, margins, rail distance, and more.
That’s why Keeneland is rightfully recognized with praise on top of the attmosphere when you are there in person. It really is fun with the welcomed southern charm that Saratoga lacks. I’ve dealt with NY’ers all my life and the “bada-bing” thing gets tiresome at a race course …
Just wanted to comment that you can’t “listen” like you used to… the polytrack is so quiet!! Thundering thoroughbreds sneak right up, you only hear the hoofbeats when they’re right in front of you. I went to the opening day of fall meet polytrack debut, and was shocked at the silence down the stretch. I missed the heartpounding hoofbeats!
Still, you do hear the chugging and snorting of a horse in full work, and THAT is cool!
I personally avoid BG Day, it is way too packed for me. :no:
Bluegrass day usually consists of idiot partiers and drinkers. Lots of drunks. During the week, crowds die down a bit. Normal grandstand has no dress requirements. Cheaper costs. One bad thing is if it rains and is windy, you can barely sit in grandstand. Gets freezing and too damp.
