Kentucky Derby

[m1gunner]

Do they still sell infield tickets, or only allow race fans to sit in the stands?

Last time I was there infield tickets were 2 or 3 bucks, looks like standing at the "stretch rail" in the grandstands is now $60.

Looks like Derby Week is now 2+ weeks, and they are going for 4.

It is a well done event, and worth attending, IMHO.


BTW, I saw all 3 TC races that year, and watched a horse win the Triple Crown !

 

[glenncal1]

Do they still sell infield tickets, or only allow race fans to sit in the stands?

Last time I was there infield tickets were 2 or 3 bucks, looks like standing at the "stretch rail" in the grandstands is now $60.

Looks like Derby Week is now 2+ weeks, and they are going for 4.

It is a well done event, and worth attending, IMHO.


BTW, I saw all 3 TC races that year, and watched a horse win the Triple Crown !

Was it Citation? It will cost yu considerably more than $3 to attend the race if you can get it.

 

[m1gunner]

Seattle Slew

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

I'm a native Kentuckian and have been to the Derby exactly once. It's checked off my "list" and I don't plan on going again.

The last time I checked, admission for the infield is about $50, or maybe more now.

Seats anywhere are outrageously expensive. Unlike regular racing days and Churchill, there's non "general admissions." Tickets have assigned seats. When I went, we were in section 128, which are bleacher-type seats located at the far end of the track down by the starting gate. They were uncovered, which was bad because it was raining. They had a face value of $120, but were about $350 apiece from a ticket broker. I'd have never gone if it weren't for the fact that I was escorting a visitor from the department and they picked up the tab.

Ticket prices increase as you get closer to the finish line, as well as when you go higher up into the grandstands. You do get seats and not bleachers. You're looking at about $2K+ for second level grandstand tickets. As for the third level-it's not called "Millionaire's Row" for nothing.

Don't forget about parking, too. Forget parking at one of the track lots-tickets for those have been gone since last summer. You can park at the fairgrounds or Cardinal Stadium and ride a shuttle for about $15, I think. You can also park in yards along Central Avenue and 4th street and walk to the track. This probably one of the most popular options, and you're looking at anywhere from $20-100 depending on how close you are(the people who live on Central make BIG money on Derby day). When I went, we parked off 4th street and paid $20. We had probably a 1.5 mile walk to the track, and at least another mile once inside the gates to get to our seats.

Because it was raining, the area under the grandstands was literally shoulder to shoulder most of the time. I sat huddled on the bleachers in a suit, raincoat, and poncho most of the day(it was cold).

Don't forget the price of food and drinks if you want them at the track. A bottle of water was $6. I'm a teetotaler, but seem to recall a beer being $8 and a Mint Julep being $10 or $12.

One last thing-it took me 5 minutes to find out who had won.

I went in 2013.

 

[shouldazagged]

The weather should be nice this year--high around 70º--which saddens me just a little. I always enjoy seeing people from New York, who think they are coming to the deep South instead of the lower Midwest and dress for the subtropics, freeze their buns off when the temperatures are in the high forties.

I've seen it snow on Derby Day.

I'm not a native; but I've lived in and around Louisville for a great many years, have never been to the Derby, and have never had any inclination to go. It's a splendid event, but I don't like huge crowds at all.