Although only miles from businesses, busy streets and skyscrapers, the grassy expanses making up the grounds at Keeneland horse race course are about as far away from the Lexington cityscape as one can get.

However, on Friday, much of the city was there.

When Keeneland’s gates opened for its spring season and College Scholarship Day on Friday, 24,734 people walked through the turnstiles. The crowd set a Keeneland Opening Day record and was the track’s second largest overall turnout in history.

The thousands of patrons who walked through the turnstiles brought with them more than just their sunglasses and a wad of bills.

They brought tradition, experience and a love of the sport — which, for many, lasts longer than their cash.

“I’m not doing a real good job of managing my money right now,” said U. Kentucky sophomore David Liebman.

He “invested” much of his money in the races.

Nearby stood U. Kentucky sophomore Brandon Bell, who said he always takes his betting cues from Liebman. “He knows what he’s talking about,” Bell said.

After all, Liebman’s father is editor-in-chief of “The Blood-Horse,” a horse racing publication based out of Lexington. But Liebman does not come to Keeneland just because of his own thoroughbred bloodlines. “It’s all the people, the tradition, how much it means to the city,” he said.

In the spring and fall Liebman and Bell said they and their friends go to races at Keeneland as often as possible. They also participate in tailgating before the races start.

“It’s just a fun time to go out, dress up … and win some money,” Bell said.

Thanks to his friend’s know-how, Bell said he normally ends up being at least $20 to $50 ahead by the time the day is over.

The lines at the betting windows stretched and wound through the concourse. In these lines were college students hoping to make a buck, parents teaching their children the ins and outs of the betting game and hundreds of others with stories of their own.

Kentucky freshman Neil Taing was not in any of those lines. He was just enjoying the day with his friends and watching the races, he said.

Taing had not yet placed any bets, but was having fun guessing the winners anyway.

“Although, I should’ve (been betting) because I picked the first two races correctly,” he said.

Chase Hammons, an undecided freshman at Eastern Kentucky U., drove to Lexington to experience Keeneland for the first time. Through the first three races, he lost $50.

The sounds from the betting windows, grandstand and surrounding patio area blended together in a constant buzz that resonated throughout the horse park.

Once the horses and their jockeys made the final turn and hit the home stretch, regardless of the race or which horse was in front, the venue truly came alive.

People whose livelihoods — or at least part of them — rested with the outcome of the race cheered, waved their arms and cursed, hoping to spur their chosen horses on to victory.

The thrill of the race is part of what makes Keeneland such an exciting place for Bell.

“My favorite part about (Keeneland) is the final countdown to when the horses cross the finish line,” Bell said.  “That’s when it gets loud and crazy.”