From its inaugural race meet in 1936, Keeneland has used a dirt track. The turf course inside it was added in 1985, making Keeneland the first racetrack in Kentucky to offer grass racing. The dirt track is a mile and a sixteenth oval and the turf course is a 7–furlong oval. To compare the two, one furlong equals an eighth of a mile, so the dirt track is 8½ furlongs around, one furlong longer than the turf course.

Keeneland offers dirt races at a variety of distances, 4½ furlongs to a mile and five-eighths, depending on where the starting gate is placed and whether one of the two chutes is used. The chutes, which are extensions off the main track, allow races to be run which otherwise would have undesirable starting locations. For example, the 7-furlong chute allows races at 6½ and 7 furlongs to be run that otherwise would have to be started on a turn.

The Headley Course of 4½ furlongs is named for Hal Price Headley, one of Keeneland's founders. The Beard Course of 7 furlongs and 184 feet is named for Major Louie Beard, another of the track's founders.

Most races on the dirt track end at the finish line in front of the grandstand. Races at a mile and a sixteenth, however, start and finish at the sixteenth pole, which is a sixteenth of a mile from the finish of the other dirt races. This finish line is located in front of the clubhouse.

Races over the turf course range from 5½ furlongs to a mile and five-eighths. It is named the Haggin Course for Louis Lee Haggin II, who served as president of the track from 1956-1970 and then chairman of the board until his death in 1980.

If you notice a time record for a race on the Keeneland Course, it means a temporary rail was in place on the turf track, altering the part of the course over which the horses run.