what the heck is a PSL?

I could have..had the grill and lighter fluid

I've tried to get in touch with CD and can't even get a return call, and I've been purchasing tickets for five straight Derbies now. That's pretty awesome.

They're probably busy taking calls about the concert

Next time

How much does a PSL cost for Derby tickets in a section like 122-126? Are there any available still? What other ways to people on here get tickets? I have heard something about twinspires offering members a chance to buy tickets at face value in the past. What is the deal with that? Thanks for any info. I know the expensive online broker option is always available but would like to avoid that if possible.

There were a lot of tickets available around town last year the week of the Derby that werent too much over face

Yeah, I was offered extra ticket in addition to the ones I had already purchased last year, I'm guessing because of the economy. Seems to me that CD has picked an awkward time to try to gouge even more money out of their customers. Who really has a gang of expendable income around these days anyway?

Did they guarantee you the same seats you purchased last year and are they still available for a PSL?

When I get back to my office later this week, I am going to read through the PSL contract they had me sign last year.

All you have to do is call 502-636-4447 and the person answering the phone in the Churchill Downs Premium Seating office will try to sell you a PSL and should be able to answer your questions. If you do not get through to this number, keep trying as eventually a live voice will answer.

For twinspires, I think you have to earn a large number of TwinSpires points each year to be able to buy tickets -- otherwise, you go into a lottery-type random draw for tickets.

I am also in 222 haven't gotten an invoice. When I called they said they were mailing them out in batches and weren't finished. I would rather pay a higher face than pay the PSL if I could stay in that area.

How much does a PSL + ticket cost in a section like 124 or around there?

They aren't selling PSL's for that section anymore, so I'm told.

Let us know if you get an invoice to stay in 222 and what the amount of the invoice is per seat? Thanks!!

With this degree of uncertainty lingering, I have to wonder if Churchill is still deciding how they want to distribute their Derby/Oaks tickets in 2010 for the first and second floor grandstands.

Did anyone with PSLs or tickets the last 2 years in the 1st or 2nd Floor Grandstand get a ticket invoice yet for the 2010 Derby?

From kentuckyderby.com website:

Churchill Downs. online sale of limited two-day Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks ticket packages, which was delayed Wednesday by a potential data error with its new online box office, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 6 at noon EST. A total of 3,000 seats have been allocated for this online exclusive.

As promised, reserved seating packages to be sold, which include tickets to both the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, April 30 and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 1, include:

Third-floor clubhouse box seats in sections 312-314 and access to the Secretariat Lounge, an exclusive, upscale, indoor hospitality area that will feature premium gourmet food, an open bar, televisions, betting kiosks and live music between races (50 boxes or 300 seats which range from $6,132-$6,390 per six-seat box);
First-floor clubhouse box seats in section 111 (166 boxes or 996 seats which cost $1,500 per six-seat box);
Second-floor grandstand bleacher seats in sections 222-225 (300 seats which range from $214-$225 per seat); and
First-floor grandstand bleacher seats in sections 121-128 (1,404 seats which range from $172-$207 per seat).
Ticket prices vary based on location. There is a purchase limit of six seats or one box per order. Those who want to purchase box seats must purchase the entire box, which includes seats for six. Tickets must be purchased with a Visa credit or debit card. Minimal ticket processing charges will apply.


I purchased a 2 year PSL the last couple years for seats in the 2nd Floor Grandstand and did not receive an invoice this year for the 2010 Derby. I called the Premium seating office this morning to inquire about whether I could still keep my seats in the Second Floor Grandstand -- they indicated that I might be able to keep my seats and took my phone number and would have someone call be back tomorrow

I called the Premium Seating office back this afternoon and was able to purchase almost the same seats as last year in the 2nd Floor Grandstand. The great thing now is that I do not have to pay a $190 per seat PSL fee. Derby seats in Section 222 are $140 ($127 last year) and Oaks seats are $85 ($58 last year) plus a $15 handling fee. Even with the increased face value of the seats in 2010, each seat is $150 lower than last year due to the elimination of the PSL fee.

That's interesting. I had a PSL for section 123, row A for the past 2 years. After not getting an invoice, I wrote and called. When I called, they said my seats were not available and they stated that I could try to get them online on January 6th (which will be a ridiculous free for all). Churchill has been so inconsistent with tickets for Derby 2010.

Did you check to see if you could buy other seats in Section 123 or nearby? It might be worth another call before they do the online sale on January 6 (which I agree will be a free for all -- I gotta believe tickets scalpers will see the opportunity to get tickets at face value, which is well below market value).

I am not sure what criteria they used in determining that I could still purchase seats (I have had Derby seats since 2002 and I know they looked up my name on their computer before telling me that I could request to purchase the same seats and someone would call me back).