FALLSTARS WEEKEND PACKED WITH BC PREPS,

LEXINGTON, Ky. – It never gets old, does it? The opening of a Keeneland meet represents a rebirth every time, a welcome interruption of the status quo with its twice-a-year occurrence.

Indeed, much of the Keeneland greenery is turning orange and gold, which can only mean the fall meet will be greeted with open arms by racing fans here and beyond. The 17-day meet will get away to its customary rocket start, with a FallStars Weekend schedule comprising nine graded stakes, all of them important preps toward the Nov. 3-4 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.

The three-day opening weekend starts Friday with the Grade 1 Alcibiades and Grade 2 Phoenix, then hits full throttle Saturday with five graded races, including three Grade 1’s – the Shadwell Turf Mile, the Breeders’ Futurity, and the First Lady – before concluding Sunday with two more stakes, led by the Grade 1 Spinster. Eight of the nine FallStars events offer Win and You’re In berths toward the Breeders’ Cup.

First post is 1:05 p.m. Eastern daily, with only Mondays and Tuesdays dark through Oct. 28.

As much as everyday fans revel in the unique aura of this track, some veteran gamblers are upset with what transpired since racing was last held here in April. Keeneland officials announced this summer a raise in mutuel takeout to the highest allowable levels for most of its wagers, inciting the ire of horseplayers.

Takeout is now 19 percent on win-place-show wagers and 22 percent on all exotics except for the pick five (15 percent). Some players have called for a boycott of Keeneland, which for years had been widely regarded as one of the most fan-friendly tracks in North America.

“It’s a complete reversal of course for them,” Jeff Platt, president of the Horseplayers Association of North America, told Daily Racing Form in August.

Keenland officials have defended the takeout increase as primarily a means to fund purses and remain competitive with rival tracks across the country. Purses this fall are expected to average a track-record $722,000 per card, according to Keeneland racing secretary Ben Huffman, with much of the increase attributable to revenues from the historical racing machines at Keeneland’s nearby partner harness track, The Red Mile.

Meanwhile, most fans will be oblivious to such inside-baseball discussions while enjoying what brings them to the track in the first place. In addition to its intrinsic beauty, Keeneland remains a technological trendsetter among American tracks and once again will offer a host of conveniences and upgrades, including a revamping of its standard food-and-drink offerings and an expansion of its social media platforms.

For the tens of thousands watching elsewhere, of course, the main attraction is the classy level of racing. A 17-race stakes schedule is worth more than $5.3 million, and everyday racing fare will include maiden specials worth $65,000 and allowances from $67,000 to $75,000. (Purses for many races include bonuses restricted to registered Kentucky-breds.)

Accordingly, the rosters of trainers and jockeys are first rate. Although some of the New York-based riders who compete on a daily basis here in the spring will not be here every day of this meet, the opening-day card drew Javier Castellano, Jose Ortiz, Jose Lezcano, and Luis Saez. They, along with such circuit regulars as Corey Lanerie, Julien Leparoux, Florent Geroux, and Robby Albarado, will be riding for trainers such as Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher, both of whom sent small strings here, along with familiar names Steve Asmussen, Mark Casse, Brad Cox, Mike Maker, Bill Mott, and more.

Kurt Becker, the only racecaller Keeneland has ever had, will be back in the booth for his 42nd meet, and TVG will have a meet-long presence while making Keeneland its premier signal, as always. NBC Sports is here to televise the Saturday and Sunday features.

The weather forecast for opening weekend calls for highs in the 80s every day, with a chance of rain both Saturday and Sunday.