Want to feel like you’re at the races even if you can’t go to Keeneland? Here’s how.
Keeneland is hosting an unusual summer meet, July 8-12, to make up for the missed April meet.
The regular spring meet was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic that struck in March. Now that Kentucky has reopened most activities, at least in part, the track has arranged for a special version of its meet, designed to set up both the upcoming September Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland in November.
Even with COVID restrictions eased, spectators can’t come watch at the track. But you can still get into the spirit of the races.
Need bread pudding? A Maker’s Mark cocktail? A program?
Here’s the info on how you can recreate that Keeneland experience.
Jeff Ruby’s
So to help racing fans who need to get their burgoo and bread pudding, Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse is offering a special lunch menu July 10-12, including charcuterie with beer cheese, potato pancakes, burgoo, corned beef rueben, Kentucky Hot Brown’s, Maker’s Mark bread pudding and more.
The restaurant in downtown Lexington will show races live on TV throughout the restaurant and patio, and Keeneland is even sending their “Betologists” to provide tips on handicapping.
You won’t be able to bet, though, unless you already have an ADW account and app such as Keeneland Select.
At home
If you can’t make it to the restaurant, there are other options.
Keeneland.com has the bread pudding recipe, and the Keeneland Breeze recipe, and you will be able to download programs daily.
You can pick up a Keeneland at Home kit from The Keeneland Shop, including branded drinkware and more. Order online and pick up your order before opening day. Kits over $35 will include a commemorative Summer Meet print by Kayla Weber, a bag of Keeneland’s Brown Butter Popcorn and a set of Keeneland saddle towel yard flags.
How to watch
To give you the feel of being there, the track will broadcast “Keeneland at Home Presented by Central Bank,” a 30-minute pre-game show available on Facebook Live, YouTube and Periscope at 12:15 p.m. daily. Hosted by Christina Blacker, the show will include betting tips, Maker’s Mark cocktails and more.
And you can watch the meet live each day beginning at 1 p.m. on TVG or stream the entire race card on Keeneland.com and KeenelandSelect.com, Keeneland’s Facebook page, Keeneland’s YouTube channel and Keeneland’s Race Day mobile app.
Race-day programming begins daily at 11:30 a.m. with “Today at Keeneland,” with Gabby Gaudet and Scott Hazelton discussing picks and horses of interest.
The show also airs live on TVG2, The CW Lexington and WKYT.com.
On June 12, NBCSN will have live coverage of the TVG Elkhorn Stakes from 5 to 7 p.m.
How to bet the Keeneland July meet
You can even bet from home through Keeneland Select, the track’s online wagering platform.
And the Red Mile will conduct drive-thru wagering during the Summer Meet from 8 a.m. to final post time at Keeneland.
There will be nine races on July 8-10 and on July 12 and 10 races on July 11. There will be 10 graded stakes races worth more than $2.5 million in purses, including the Maker’s Mark Mile, the Grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, the Central Bank Ashland, and the Coolmore Jenny Wiley.
