Keeneland attendance, wagering high

Keeneland reported the second-highest attendance and wagering figures in spring meet history -- 243,606 and $150.5 million, respectively.

The on-track attendance represents a 13 percent increase over last spring's total of 215,030 and fell just behind the record total of 244,145 set during the 2006 spring meet. Average daily attendance of 15,225 rose six percent from 14,335 in 2007, and ranks third-highest behind 2006 (16,276) and 2004 (15,522). Attendance totaled 20,000 or more on four of the 16 spring race dates between April 4-25.

All-sources wagering (on-track and off-track wagering and whole-card simulcasting conducted at Keeneland) totaled $150,471,818, the second-highest spring meet handle and five percent off last spring's record of $158,368,309. Average daily all-sources handle was $9,404,489, down 10.9 percent from last year's record $10,557,887.

On-track wagering, which includes incoming simulcasts, totaled $25,973,789 for 16 days. Last year's handle was $25,859,224 for 15 days.

Keeneland realized several wagering records surrounding the April 12 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, when 12 horses, the largest field since 1983, went postward.

Records were set for the exacta pool ($1,138,124), trifecta pool ($1,051,060), superfecta ($549,415) and Pick 3 that included the Toyota Blue Grass ($212,378).

Purses for the spring meet totaled $10,016,860, for an average daily purse of $626,054.