The Keeneland Association cuts no corners when it comes to construction. The many additions that have been made to the racetrack over the years are almost undetectable, as they are done in the same style and quality as the original grandstand/clubhouse structure. It’s no surprise, then, that Keeneland has contracted with the world leader in sports stadiums, HOK Sport, to, in Keeneland’s words, “develop a master plan for the current and future use of the facility.”

Conventional wisdom holds that Keeneland is gearing up for a run at becoming an annual, semi-annual or frequent host of the Breeders’ Cup world championships. That may not be what Keeneland CEO Nick Nicholson is saying, but let’s be pragmatic about the Breeders’ Cup for a minute.

There have been 24 Breeders’ Cup championships. Churchill Downs has hosted six; Belmont Park four; Santa Anita Park, Hollywood Park, and Gulfstream Park three apiece; and one each at Aqueduct, Arlington Park, Lone Star Park, Monmouth Park, and Woodbine.

Gulfstream Park and Woodbine have since been turned into casino racetracks that probably do not have enough seats to host a future Breeders’ Cup. Hollywood Park is destined to be bulldozed and developed in the next few years. Aqueduct is in no condition to host another major event. Churchill Downs Inc. is playing hardball with Breeders’ Cup officials on the division of revenue from the championships, and that could eliminate Churchill Downs and Arlington Park from consideration. Magna is teetering on financial collapse, which puts Santa Anita Park (host track for 2008 and 2009) and Lone Star in question (as well as the aforementioned Gulfstream).

That leaves us with Belmont Park, whose operator, the New York Racing Association, has yet to emerge from bankruptcy protection, though it does appear to be turning the corner financially after getting its franchise renewed for 25 more years. The remaining prior host, Monmouth Park, which did an admirable job hosting the 2007 Breeders’ Cup, isn’t really in the right location or of the right size to be on a frequent rotation.

It’s no wonder, then, that some Keeneland directors and trustees see not just the opportunity, but perhaps a responsibility to be prepared to host the Breeders’ Cup world championships. There is a very common thread between the two organizations: both were built by breeders, mostly from Central Kentucky.

Seed money for the Keeneland Association came from breeders and members of the Lexington community, who bought shares of Keeneland stock to construct the track in 1935. But Keeneland didn’t build up its massive cash reserves until after it took over the auction business from a breeders’ co-op in 1962 and benefited from a rapid escalation in worldwide interest in American Thoroughbreds and prices beginning in the 1970s.

The Breeders’ Cup got its start from stallion and foal nominators from throughout the country, but the bulk of its funding came from Kentucky breeders. Thus, Keeneland would be a natural “home” for the Breeders’ Cup.

But there could be a danger in overbuilding Keeneland to accommodate crowds in excess of 50,000 when an average weekday crowd is only fraction of that number. Part of Keeneland’s popularity among some racegoers is the bustling activity that can be felt throughout the crowded plant on many racing days during its brief spring and fall meetings. The feeling one gets rattling around a huge plant like Belmont Park or Churchill Downs with a few thousand other souls can be a sad one. Keeneland doesn’t want to lose the buzz that people feel on a busy day.

Having said that, I have no doubt that HOK Sport can expand Keeneland without losing the “soul,” as Nicholson described it, that the track now has. Additions can be made at both ends of the current building. At the top of the stretch, for example, behind the clubhouse lawn is a large parking area that occupies some very good sight lines. On the other end, past the finish line, is a racing office that can easily be relocated, as well as a barn or two that may have to give way for additional seating.

Keeneland has a way of changing without really changing. It certainly has the resources to expand tastefully and without altering the rural or rustic image that the track has conveyed for nearly 75 years. The Breeders’ Cup may have a need for future host sites, and Keeneland can be ready to step up and fill it.

Copyright © 2008, The Paulick Report

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