In 1996, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, central Kentucky area Toyota dealerships and Toyota Motor Sales joined forces to become the sponsor of what has become Keeneland’s leading Kentucky Derby prep race—the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.
Because of the sponsorship, Keeneland was able to increase the purse for the 1 1/8 mile race (which previously was an allowance race) to $700,000-guaranteed—an increase of $200,000.
The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes is not only popular with the horsemen--it also is popular with fans. Some of Keeneland’s top single-day attendances were on Toyota Blue Grass Stakes Days in 2005 (33,621) and 2006 (30,660).