Keeneland increased the value of 16 stakes to be run during its 2025 spring meet, led by a $250,000 boost to the season’s signature Grade 1 Blue Grass to $1.25 million, and will award a meet record $9.4 million for a total of 19 stakes scheduled during 15 days of racing from April 4-25.

TheBlue Grass joins the fall meet’s Turf Mile (G1) as Keeneland’s two $1.25 million races, which are the richest in track history. The Turf Mile reached that level in October when total stakes purses for the fall meet were a track record $9.85 million.

Other purse increases include $150,000 for the Ashland (G1), now worth $750,000, and $200,000 for the Transylvania (G3), which becomes a $600,000 race.

Contributing to the purses for the total of 19 stakes to be run during the spring meet is $2.25 million available from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation.

The 101st running of the Blue Grass at 1 1/8 miles on Saturday, April 5, and the 88th running of the Ashland at 1 1/16 miles, the year’s first Grade 1 event for fillies, which will run the day before on opening day of the meet, are key springtime races on the dirt for 3-year-olds.

The two races both are worth 200 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby and road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1), respectively, with the winners of each stakes earning 100 qualifying points to the respective classic.

The early nomination deadline for the two races is Feb. 15. Late nominations are due March 19.

10 stakes over opening three days

Joining the Ashland on the season’s first day are two other stakes for 3-year-olds: the Transylvania (G3), at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, and the Lafayette, a seven-furlong dirt race. The Lafayette was upgraded to a listed race for 2025.

The next day, the Blue Grass highlights the five stakes on the card, which annually is Keeneland’s biggest race day of the year. Joining the race are the Madison (G1), for fillies and mares at seven furlongs on the dirt; the Appalachian (G2), for 3-year-old fillies at 1 mile on the grass; the Shakertown (G2), for 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf; and the Commonwealth (G3), for older horses at seven furlongs on the dirt.

Keeneland raised the purse of the Appalachian by $100,000 and added $50,000 each to the value of the Madison, the Shakertown and the Commonwealth.

Stakes action for 3-year-olds will continue Sunday of opening weekend with the Beaumont (G2), at seven furlongs, 184 feet, on the dirt for fillies, and the listed Palisades, at 5 1/2 furlongs on the grass.

The Palisades purse has increased $50,000.

Giant’s Causeway moves to second Sunday

Again this year, stakes races are concentrated on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

On Friday, April 11, Keeneland will run two turf stakes that both have purse increases of $50,000: the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1), for 4-year-olds and up at 1 mile, and the listed Limestone (L), for 3-year-old fillies going 5 1/2 furlongs.

Two stakes the following day are the Jenny Wiley (G1), a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares, which increased in value by $50,000, and the Lexington (G3), for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. The final prep on the road to the Kentucky Derby, the Lexington will award a total of 42 Derby qualifying points. Of those, 20 points will go to the winner.

Keeneland moved the Giant’s Causeway (G3), a 5 1/2-furlong turf race for fillies and mares, from the second Saturday to the following day, Sunday, April 13, to be a stand-alone stakes that day and has increased the purse by $50,000.

For the final days of the spring meet, older horses will compete in four graded stakes each worth $50,000 more than last year. The Doubledogdare (G3), for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt, will be held Friday, April 18. Two stakes on Saturday, April 19 are the Elkhorn (G2), at 1½ miles on the turf, and the Ben Ali (G3), at 1 3/16 miles on the dirt.

Easter falls on Sunday, April 20, when Keeneland will be closed for racing.

Friday, April 26 is the final day of the spring meet when Keeneland will showcase racing and its auctions. The race card will feature the final stakes increased by $50,000: the Bewitch (G3), for fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles on the turf.

After the races, Keeneland will hold the April selected horses of racing age sale.