Keeld Pr

by: allyson mattingly

One of the most exciting times in the Bluegrass is well on its way: the Keeneland Spring Meet!

Keeneland’s 2023 Spring Meet begins April 7th and comes to a close April 28th, with races every Wednesday through Sunday, with the exception of Easter Sunday on April 9th. The first post of the day is typically at 1 pm and gates open at 11 am, though attendees usually arrive early to tailgate in the parking lot or on The Hill. Pro tip: If you’re in General Admission and want to get a seat, get inside early because there are limited benches and they tend to go quickly!

During the Spring Meet, there are certain days you can find more than just racing going on, like the College Scholarship Day on April 14th, Military Day on April 16th, and Kids Club Family Day on April 23rd. If you’re visiting from out of town and have a few days to spare after the meet ends, the Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale is happening April 30th.

Tailgating at Keeneland makes for an even more enjoyable day at the races, as long as you don’t go too hard before you get a chance to place a bet! There are multiple areas where patrons can set up, including The Hill and The Meadow, where there’s free public parking, and the paved parking area where limited parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Hill is Keeneland’s official tailgate lot and on the weekends you can find food trucks, live music, a jumbo tv to watch the races, and plenty of college students ready to party. This is the perfect spot to set up your table and chairs and enjoy a few drinks and yummy snacks before heading to the complimentary shuttle service that will bus you right up to the Grandstand area. If you’re looking to have a large tailgating setup complete with charcoal grill and cornhole, The Hill is where you should be. For a more intimate tailgate closer to the gates, the paved parking area allows for tables and chairs as long as they stay out of the parking lanes. There are also premium tailgating options for groups of any size, where you can reserve tents, tables, chairs, and more on The Hill.