Keeneland closes fall meet, turns focus to Breeders’ Cup

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Keeneland closed its 17-day fall meet Saturday, and now turns its attention to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Oct. 30-31.

The meet featured 22 stakes worth $10.7 million. Opening weekend drew ticket buyers from 45 states. The track also marked its 90th anniversary Oct. 15.

Ten fall meet stakes winners are pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup, which Keeneland will host for the fourth time. The Championship Sale is scheduled for Oct. 28, followed by the November breeding stock sale beginning Nov. 3.

On closing day, Bottas rallied to win the $400,000 Bryan Station (G2) by 2 1/4 lengths for his third straight stakes victory. Tyler Gaffalione rode the 3-year-old for trainer Miguel Clement in 1:35.13 on good turf.

Willy D’s held off Stars and Stripes by a neck to win the $350,000 Hagyard Fayette (G3). Just for Pipa stayed unbeaten with a neck victory in the $250,000 Bowman Mill for trainer Greg Foley.

Gaffalione earned leading-jockey honors with 22 wins, one more than Luis Saez. Steve Asmussen led trainers with 12 wins. Klaravich Stables and Joel Politi tied for the owners’ title with three wins each.

All-sources handle totaled $185.6 million, with $15.5 million bet on track. Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell cited rainfall that impacted turf racing and reduced capacity due to Breeders’ Cup infrastructure.