Keeneland kicks off a blockbuster 2026 on Friday, April 3 with the opening of the Spring Meet, 15 days of spectacular Thoroughbred racing featuring the public opening of the Paddock Building along with an offering of popular special events and exciting wagering action. The first Saturday of the meet is Toyota Blue Grass Day, an 11-race card featuring five stakes worth a combined $3.15 million and led by the 102nd running of the $1.25 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1) — which will be broadcast live on NBCSN and Peacock.
The entire season will present 19 stakes worth a Spring Meet record $9.55 million.
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The Toyota Blue Grass and the 89th running of the opening-day Central Bank Ashland, the year’s first Grade 1 event for fillies, are key springtime races on the dirt for 3-year-olds. Both stakes are worth 200 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks, respectively, with the winners of each stakes earning 100 qualifying points to the respective classic.
Racing during the Spring Meet at Keeneland will be conducted Wednesdays through Sundays with post time for the first race at 1 p.m. ET each day. Keeneland will be closed for racing on Easter Sunday, April 5. Closing day, April 24, will feature 10 races followed by the April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, scheduled to begin at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Keeneland 2026 Spring Meet at a Glance
Schedule: 15 days from April 3-24. No racing Mondays, Tuesdays and Easter Sunday (April 5).
Five Grade 1 stakes: the $750,000 Central Bank Ashland on April 3; the $1.25 million Toyota Blue Grass and the $650,000 Resolute Racing Madison on April 4; the $650,000 Maker’s Mark Mile on April 10; and the $650,000 Jenny Wiley on April 11.
Gates open: 11 a.m.
First race: 1 p.m.
New Tools and Information for Horseplayers
Keeneland will debut several new resources for horseplayers of all levels while continuing several popular offerings designed to enhance the wagering experience:
- Faster odds refresh: Keeneland’s tote operator, United Tote, will refresh odds every five seconds within two minutes to post to provide close to real-time views for bettors tuning in on Keeneland’s simulcast and streaming coverage. United Tote’s previous odds refresh rate was 10 seconds.
- Projected odds dashboard: Keeneland will offer a live web dashboard of projected odds provided by DRF Formulator and Horse Racing Nation. This tool will allow bettors to view expected odds movement before post time and evaluate wagering opportunities.
- Morning workout videos: Daily video of horses training at Keeneland will be available on the wagering section of . The sortable database – made possible by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) – will be updated daily at and be a valuable tool for horsemen and handicappers.
- Complimentary past performances: Keeneland again will provide fans with complimentary digital programs powered by the KTDF.
Wagering Menu Enhancements
Keeneland has made several adjustments and added new wagers to its menu to provide attractive pricing and payouts to bettors.
- New is a $3 Late Pick 3 at 15% takeout, offered on the final three races of the day.
- The minimum Superfecta wager has been increased from 10 cents to 50 cents, and the minimum Pick 3 wager has been increased from 50 cents to $1.
- The Show Bet Bonus continues for on-track patrons. Those wagers placed at Keeneland or Red Mile are subject to a 10% takeout versus the standard 16% takeout off-track.
- The popular Turf Pick 3 continues at 15% takeout with a $3 minimum.
