Keeneland Fall Meet Stakes Schedule Soars to Record $9.6 Million in 17 Days of Racing

Keeneland added a total of $550,000 to the purses of four stakes at the 2024 Fall Meet — headlined by $300,000 to double the value of the Bryan Station (G3), a 1-mile race for 3-year-olds on turf, to $600,000 — and will award a season-high $9.6 million for 22 stakes during 17 days of racing from Oct. 4-26.

The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana also increased in value from $150,000 to $750,000, as did two stakes that were raised this year: the Bank of America Valley View (G2), which increased from $50,000 to $350,000, and the Perryville (G3), which raised between $50,000 and $300,000.

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund is contributing $1.35 million toward Keeneland Fall Meet stakes purses, pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

The prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Presented by Dixiana, taking place on Saturday, October 12, is an internationally recognized invitational event for 3-year-old fillies racing 1 1/8 miles on turf. The first edition of this event took place 40 years ago, when Queen Elizabeth II visited Keeneland.

Bryan Station closes October 26.

“The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup presented by Dixiana and Bryan Station are receiving purse increases as part of Keeneland’s working relationship with Kentucky Downs, with the goal being to strengthen Kentucky’s overall purse structure and specifically to strengthen turf program for 3-years,” said Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell. “Keeneland and Kentucky Downs would like to facilitate a model of racing for fillies and 3-year-old colts on turf in the United States by attempting to coordinate and work with other tracks across the country.”

For the 2025 Spring Meet, Bell said the purses for Appalachian (G2) presented by the Japan Racing Association for sophomore fillies and Transylvania (G3) for 3-year-old males, both on turf, will be increased. , adding: “We think these four races will be a good starting point in the spring and a great conclusion to the season in the fall.

Keeneland greatly appreciates the support we receive from Kentucky Downs in helping us achieve this goal.

The October racing season opens with the Fall Stars Weekend, which offers $5.55 million in stakes purses and includes eight stakes included in the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re in.” Winners will earn automatic starting spots and free entry to the 41st Breeders’ Cup World Championships Nov. 1-2 in Del Mar.

Three Win and You’re In events will be held on Friday, October 4: the $600,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1) (NetJets Juvenile Fillies-G1), the $350,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (G2) (Sprint-G1) and the $350,000 Jessamine (G2) Presented by Keeneland Sales (Juvenile Fillies Turf-G1).

The Win and You’re In races on Saturday, October 5 are the $1 million Coolmore Turf Mile (FanDuel Mile-G1), the $600,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) (FanDuel Juvenile-G1) and the Thoroughbred Club of America at $350,000 (G2) (PNC Bank Filly and Mare Sprint-G1).

That brings the total number of stakes on today’s card to five: the $750,000 First Lady (G1) presented by UK HealthCare and the $350,000 Woodford (G2) presented by FanDuel. Both races are expected to attract Breeders’ Cup hopefuls.

Sunday’s Fall All-Star Weekend features two Win and You’re In races: the $600,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1) (Distaff-G1) and the $350,000 Castle & Key Bourbon (G2) (Prevagen Juvenile Turf-G1). The third stakes of the day is the $250,000 Indian Summer (L) Presented by Keeneland Select.

Stakes action returns on Friday, October 11 with the $300,000 Sycamore (G3). The following day we will feature the aforementioned Queen Elizabeth II presented by Dixiana.

The headline race on Sunday, Oct. 13 is the $350,000 Franklin (G2). The stakes continue with the $350,000 Lexus Raven Run (G2) and $300,000 Perryville (G3) on Saturday, Oct. 19; the $300,000 Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3) on Sunday, Oct. 20; and the $350,000 Bank of America Valley View (G2) and $200,000 Myrtlewood (G2) on Friday, Oct. 25.

The Bank of America Valley View is for 3-year-old fillies at 1 mile on the turf, while the Perryville is for 3-year-old fillies at 7 furlongs on the turf. Both races have been upgraded for 2024 and have received purse improvements.

Closing day features Hagyard Fayette (G2) at $350,000, Bryan Station (G3) at $600,000 and Bowman Mill at $200,000.

Keeneland Racetrack