DAY AT THE RACES

Friday's figures: On-track attendance, 18,058; on-track betting, $1,763,158; total betting including simulcast, $12,418,420.

This day last year: On-track attendance, 17,654; on-track betting, $1,651,477; total betting including simulcast, $10,706,009.

Final furlong

With a record $375,412 carryover in the Pick Six, the total pool Friday was $1,741,475. Because the meet was ending, a mandatory payoff went to ticket holders with five winners. Those winning tickets were worth $25,970 each.

• Kent Desormeaux ended the meet as the leading rider, something he hadn't thought would happen when the meet began.

"We just came in with hopes of riding some good horses for the clients that we had and we were able to have some success," Desormeaux said.

Desormeaux, 38, will be looking for his third Kentucky Derby victory May 3 when he rides Big Brown. He'll ride at Churchill Downs through the Derby, before going to New York to ride the rest of the spring and summer.

Desormeaux is delighted to be on top at Keeneland. "I can't ever remember being so excited," he said.

Desormeaux finished the meet with 22 wins while John Velazquez finished with 15 winners and Jamie Theriot with 13.

• In the race for leading trainer, Todd Pletcher collected 14 wins, six more than runner-up Bill Mott's 8.

• The leading owners, with four wins apiece, were Overbrook Farm, IEAH Stable, and G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and partners.