LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Keeneland Summer Meet scheduled for July 8-12 will take place without spectators, but the two-day Breeders’ Cup 2020 World Championships in November, just as the Kentucky Derby in September at Churchill Downs, should have fans in the stands.
Tickets are still on sale for the 37th Breeders’ Cup World Championship, which Keeneland previously hosted in 2015, but Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming says there are contingency plans in place if the event is altered or canceled because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“The health and safety of the racing community, including its athletes, fans, and workers, has always been Breeders’ Cup’s top priority,” Fleming said. “As we collectively navigate this uncharted and difficult time, I want to assure you that we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and working with Keeneland, relevant government authorities, and public health experts to assess its potential impact on the 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Based on what we know today, we remain fully committed to conducting the World Championships at Keeneland in November.”
People that have already purchased tickets to the race, which is scheduled for Nov. 6-7, will be fully refunded if the event is canceled or takes place without spectators, Fleming said.
“Please be assured that in the unfortunate event that we cancel the two-day World Championships, or conduct the event without live spectators, all ticket purchases will be fully refunded,” he said. “Again, as of now, our intention is to hold the event as scheduled in November.”
Keeneland hosted the largest Friday attendance in Breeders’ Cup history in 2015 with nearly 45,000 spectators and set a track record on Saturday with more than 50,000 fans. Keeneland reported the 2015 Breeders’ Cup had an economic impact of more than $65 million in Fayette County.
Keeneland recently received approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to have a spectator-free Summer Meet Wednesday, July 8, through Sunday, July 12, to accommodate a portion of the 16-day spring meet, which was canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Track officials announced Monday, June 29, the “Keeneland at Home presented by Central Bank” initiative, which urges fans to "attend" the meet remotely.
“Fans flock to Keeneland during our race meets, and we will miss seeing thousands of faces in the stands for the Summer Meet, but we look forward to delivering their favorite race-day traditions so they can hold watch parties at home and enjoy Keeneland,” said Bill Thomason, Keeneland president and CEO. “From recipes for Keeneland’s favorite foods and drinks such as Maker’s Mark Bread Pudding, Keeneland Burgoo and the Keeneland Breeze to details about our daily programming and wagering opportunities, Keeneland has curated a selection of ways to safely enjoy the races at home.”
New to the race-day broadcast lineup for the Summer Meet in addition to “Keeneland at Home Presented by Central Bank” is a 30-minute “pre-game show” at 12:15 p.m. on Facebook Live, YouTube and Periscope. Hosted by Christina Blacker, the program will feature numerous race-day experiences in conjunction with at-home watch parties, including lessons in BETology, libations prepared by Maker’s Mark, handicapping picks from Equibase’s Ellis Starr and more.
Tickets are still on sale for the 37th Breeders’ Cup World Championship, which Keeneland previously hosted in 2015, but Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming says there are contingency plans in place if the event is altered or canceled because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“The health and safety of the racing community, including its athletes, fans and workers, has always been Breeders’ Cup’s top priority,” Fleming said. “As we collectively navigate this uncharted and difficult time, I want to assure you that we are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and working with Keeneland, relevant government authorities and public health experts to assess its potential impact on the 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Based on what we know today, we remain fully committed to conducting the World Championships at Keeneland in November.”
People that have already purchased tickets to the race, which is scheduled for Nov. 6-7, will be fully refunded if the event is canceled or takes place without spectators, Fleming said.
“Please be assured that in the unfortunate event that we cancel the two-day World Championships, or conduct the event without live spectators, all ticket purchases will be fully refunded,” he said. “Again, as of now, our intention is to hold the event as scheduled in November.”
Keeneland hosted the largest Friday attendance in Breeders’ Cup history in 2015 with nearly 45,000 spectators and set a track record on Saturday with more than 50,000 fans. Keeneland officials reported the 2015 Breeders’ Cup had an economic impact of more than $65 million in Fayette County.
Keeneland officials recently received approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to have a spectator-free Summer Meet Wednesday, July 8, through Sunday, July 12, to accommodate a portion of the 16-day spring meet, which was canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Track officials announced Monday, June 29, the “Keeneland at Home presented by Central Bank” initiative, which urges fans to "attend" the meet remotely.
“Fans flock to Keeneland during our race meets, and we will miss seeing thousands of faces in the stands for the Summer Meet, but we look forward to delivering their favorite race-day traditions so they can hold watch parties at home and enjoy Keeneland,” said Bill Thomason, Keeneland president and CEO. “From recipes for Keeneland’s favorite foods and drinks such as Maker’s Mark Bread Pudding, Keeneland Burgoo and the Keeneland Breeze to details about our daily programming and wagering opportunities, Keeneland has curated a selection of ways to safely enjoy the races at home.”
New to the race-day broadcast lineup for the Summer Meet in addition to “Keeneland at Home Presented by Central Bank” is a 30-minute “pre-game show” at 12:15 p.m. on Facebook Live, YouTube and Periscope. Hosted by Christina Blacker, the program will feature numerous race-day experiences in conjunction with at-home watch parties, including lessons in BETology, libations prepared by Maker’s Mark, handicapping picks from Equibase’s Ellis Starr and more.