The Thursday before the Kentucky Derby means one thing at the Lexington Rotary Club meeting. It’s a time when the head of Keeneland speaks about past and future horse industry items.
Keeneland President Shannon Arvin spoke about sales successes off the top. She said last September’s yearling sale came in as the highest-grossing sale in Keeneland's history. Less than a couple of months later, the Breeders Cup at the track accounted for an $81 million economic impact for Lexington. Arvin noted Keeneland will participate in newly adopted sports wagering.
“Keeneland will definitely be in the game. We’ll definitely be offering it. We’re not setting the lines, the sports book that we partner with will be setting the line. And I think it will be a nice amenity to offer.”
This week’s Derby attention has included word of four horse deaths at Churchill Downs in just six days. Three horse fatalities occurred during Keeneland’s Spring meet. Arvin said horse safety remains a priority.
“The most important aspect is that we’re doing all we possibly can to keep horses safe. I mean you saw that there were also a number of scratches because there were horses to the state vets didn’t appear to be sound. So we're trying to just do all we can to make sure that every horse that runs is sound,” said Arvin.
Arvin said the safety segment of the federal Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act is in place with the medication component coming online after the Preakness race.
As far as the 149th run for the roses, the Keeneland CEO said more than half the field are Keeneland sales graduates including favorite and one of her picks, Forte’
