Ellis Park Race Course is partnering with Keeneland Association Inc to launch the Kentucky Breeze, the world’s first Thoroughbred horse race-sharing program. The move comes at a time when the oldest operating horse racing track in America, the Keeneland, further establishes itself as the go to place for Thoroughbred racing.

As is always the case it’s the Kentucky Spring Meet and the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes that remains the headliner to the event being a prep race for the Kentucky Derby. As a demonstration of this vision, the stakes of the sponsor of the Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland, has boosted the purse from $1m as was the norm in previous Preferred dates to $1.5m. Such a substantial increase is likely to attract an even bigger array of Derby contenders and build up the race as a critical intermediate toward the first Saturday in May.

Two more graded stakes added to Keeneland’s spring schedule, besides the Blue Grass Stakes. Grade 2 Lexington Turf Mile with $500,000 added money will give the cracks of highest grass milers to aim at. On the other hand the Grade 3 Keeneland Sprint for four-year-olds and older is staged for $300,000 and this event is expected to gather some of the countries leading sprinters. These new races increase the number of stakes races to 21 for the Spring Meet with 15 of these having graded status.

This move to expand the stakes program arises from the experience with horsemen and fans of the national racing. Keeneland’s Vice President of Racing, Gatewood Bell said “We are always searching for ways to enhance the racing experience and increase opportunities for high-level horses.” These changes are aimed at ensuring this year’s racing experience is one of a kind for every racer.”

The improved stakes schedule that is anticipated to be adopted will trigger corresponding field sizes and betting handle. Increased purses and variety of races provision will help to attract bigger and stronger fields, that will coincide with greater wagering, that Keeneland has planned. This strategy fits with the long-term development plan for the track, which is to increase the facility’s recognition in the national and international racing circuit.

Local traders in Lexington are also expecting benefits from this widened racing schedule. The Spring Meet increases the number of visitors in the region and the extended and deeper stakes schedule should provide an even longer and stronger boost to the local economy. Especially, hotel, restaurant and many other organizations involved in the sphere of hospitality are already getting ready for what is predicted to be a higher demand during this spring season.

Following the announcement made on Keeneland stakes schedule, the officials of Keeneland have detailed facility upgrades for increasing fan appeal. Some of these are changes to the grandstand seating facilities, new and enlarged food outlets, and improved systems for betting during the race. The track is also strengthening its turf course, so that it could bear the increased usage of a grass racing program.

Sustainability continues to be a priority for Keeneland – that’s why during the 2025 Spring Meet, the track plans to enhance its environmental efforts. These include; recycled collection and utilization, usage of biodegradable food packaging materials, and utilization of solar energy for power usage.

With the 2025 Spring Meet already in the horizon, fans of the horse race and insiders are already looking at which horses may be bound for Keeneland’s improved stakes menu. With the championships, beautiful surroundings, and an even more tempting schedule of races, Keeneland has all the potential to become the permanent venue for Thoroughbred racing stars.

The 2025 Keeneland Spring Meet will be held from April the 4th to April the 25th, with the biggest advantage of 3 weeks of premier racing event. With the start of the countdown, people in Lexington and the readers interested in the world of Thoroughbred racing are looking forward to the upcoming season at one of the most iconic racetracks in the United States.