Thanks. I called them and they said that they would see what they can do. They looked up my name on the computer and said they will call me back soon.

There is someone behind the scenes in the Premium Seating office that will review your request. In case they do not get back to you by Monday, I would call them back before the January 6 on-line sale.

Also, have your VISA card ready as they want you to pay for the tickets while they have you on the phone.

Good luck as it always good to see DT'ers be successful in getting Derby tickets. Derby tickets are not as hard to get as most people think. I work in Louisville and see many of my co-workers get free invites to the Oaks and the Derby.

Tickets from today's on-line sale sold out in less than an hour.

Not that impressive when you consider there were only around 3,000 of them. A Bruce Springsteen show at the Verizon Center sold out in 12 minutes a couple years ago, and that is 20,000-ish seats.

For those of you that have sit in sections 126-128 - how bad are those seats?

you are at the derby, nothing is bad.....

This might be your most brilliant moment.. How FN true..

but can you see any of the races?

I have sat in Sections 128, 126, 123 and to be honest it's not really the section, its more how close you are to the rail. All sections are fine up to the finish as you get to see them pass by twice. I have had 123 along with my friend Drag66 and it's right in front of the huge tote board. If you do get 128, 127, 126 just try to get up to rows A-K

Everyone stands on the bleachers for the big races anyways so you can see the races. Because of all the people, you can only see what is in front of you, and in that area, you turn around to watch the race on the portable big screen

Quote from Churchill Downs track president:

"There was extraordinary demand with more than 50,000 online requests within the first five minutes," Flanery said. "We're thrilled for those who were fortunate to purchase reserved seats and sympathize with those who didn't have the luck of the draw this time around."

I hated sections 126-128 compared to the seats on the other side of the fence.

I left a message at premium tickets 1-8. Told them I wanted to get my same seats. A lady called yesterday and took my payment info. It will probably help if you have a past invoice number of patron #. They didn't charge a PSL as they had the past 2 years.

Yeah, I think CD completely misread the demand for Derby tickets. I'd suspect that any of us who've had PSL's in the past will receive offers in the mail sometime in February-March for seats.

I hope you are right because I have talked to several people at the ticket office frequently and they still are telling me they are not sure if my seats are available.

Did you ask for similar seats in the same general area (in case your seats are not available)?

Yes. I hate to lose front row seats, but I'll take close to the front.

Anybody notice CDI put a bunch more Derby tickets on sale yesterday? I know at least a few folks who were able to grab some.

Did anybody try to get on the surprise Derby tickets sale this morning? Just an absolutely fustercluck. I know I couldn't get the online ticketing system to work to save my life. Hopefully, other ticket sales will happen as we get closer to May.

Mainly just terrible seats in Section 128 available. I think I will wait as they usually open up more seats. Section 125 available for over $500. No thanks.

Oh, but you get an "infield club" pass for you $500! That's certainly worth the extra $300 per seat or so over last year's prices.

I called the Premium Seating office last week and they mentioned an on-line sale this week but did not mention when. I must have missed the announcement -- the website now says they are sold out. Last year, they would sell you Derby/Oaks tickets over the phone -- I got the impression they might not do this for 2011. However, I will keep calling them (persistence does not hurt).

An on-line sale is a poor way for loyal Derby fans to have a chance at Derby tickets -- I have to believe that the ticket brokers jump all over these sales. I think the surprise element was meant to keep the ticket brokers out but I wonder how successful it was.

I am out of town and just checked my home e-mail. I got an e-mail at 12:10pm that tickets were ALREADY on sale. I wonder how many "insider" people knew prior to 12:10 that tickets were on sale.

Absolute mess of a sale. I received an email at 12:11 that the sale had already begun. I got into the "purchase section" several different times only to have the site freeze, kick me back to the waiting screen, or tell me that tickets were unavailable.

I have had the same amazing seats for the last 3 years (due to my PSL and then being able to get them again when calling premium seating last year). I have callled premium seating several times this year and have been informed that ALL seats will be available online only. I asked the lady how people were selling their tickets on ebay in August for Derby 2011 and she had no reply. I wrote an email to customer service stating that the site was a mess. I received an apology and a "good luck" to received tickets in future sales. Thanks Churchill.

I called Churchill Downs again today. The only Derby tickets available that you can buy over the phone require:

(1) expensive PSL for box seats.
(2) Turf Club membership
(3) or Section 122-125 1st Floor Grandstand seats for both the Derby and Oaks with access to the Infield Club and a free lunch for $550 per ticket.

I am not paying $550 to sit in the 1st Floor Grandstand. They did mention that there should be another on-line sale shortly (where they announce the sale, with no advance warning, after it has begun).

There is an on-line sale going on right now. I got the below email 2 hours ago.

We would like to invite you to purchase 2011 Kentucky Derby & Oaks reserved seats on a first-come, first-serve opportunity before this inventory is made available to the general public on Saturday, February 26.

Inventory on the first floor (Sections 110, 111, 122, 125 & 126), second floor (Section 225) and third floor (Section 314 & 323) is being made available at a premium price NOW at http://tickets.churchilldowns.com/premium or you can wait to purchase on February 26 if any inventory is left in these sections. Below are some of the other sections that will be available beginning February 26 at noon (Eastern) at http://tickets.churchilldowns.com in case you wish to wait and take your chances on a first-come, first-serve opportunity with the general public.

Sections 123-125 which includes access to on-site hospitality in the Bacardi Infield Club
Sections 312-313 which includes access to on-site hospitality in the Secretariat Lounge
All seats are sold as a two-day package and there is a purchase limit of six seats per household while supplies last. Minimal ticket processing charges will apply.

This offer is exclusive to http://tickets.churchilldowns.com/premium; no sales will be made in person or by submitting letters, e-mail or telephone calls to Churchill Downs. This inventory at these prices will be available now until 6:00 p.m. EST February 25 or until inventory is sold out, whichever comes first.

Good luck!

Not working, figures....

Way overpriced!!

I'm trying to find 6 and it has been impossible. They usually send the option to at least one of the three TS players I have sign up (1 plat and 2 golds) and they, like the great Churchill tends to do, forgot that some players do want to go to this comedy event.

I wouldn't put it past them to have a scheme to keep all big players from coming figuring they would play online anyways and give the tickets to all the fish.

Id buy that section 111 box right now if I had the f'n option...argh

When I talked to the Premium Seating office yesterday, they said to keep calling them and trying to get tickets. These on-line sales are a joke by the time you find out about them. And the prices are higher than what they sell for on E-Bay!!

Agreed what a mess. where are all the 200 level seats

The tickets I wanted were $600 for the two of us. Way, way too much!!
Just bought two airline tickets to Las Vegas for Derby weekend for $365 total.
Six nights comp at Flamingo---meals free off points on the Harrah's card.
And horse racing execs wonder why casinos have taken their business. I love live horseracing---been to the last seven Derbies----but six days in Vegas including airfare and meals costs less than going to the Derby. Something is wrong with that picture. Wow!!

111 are pretty bad seats

I just realized that, was about to take back the 'buy now' tout.

You should see the prices on Ebay. Some guy is selling Oaks and Derby, plus rental of his house for the 4 days, 18k....LOL

Scav,
I need four tickets too. Let me know if you find 10. LOL.

have you tried stub hub? i have no idea if they have any derby tickets worth looking at, but i've bought hockey and football tix from them before.

Yesterday's sale was a joke. Face value on some of these seats are like $100, yet they're asking people to spend $600 on a two day package that includes "lunch?" Really?

They must be trying to attract the "suckers" who will pay this $600 by doing these on-line sales. Ticket brokers would even have a hard time reselling these tickets at a profit.

They will have another more public sale on Saturday but I am expecting the same ripoff prices and very little seats available on a very poor web interface.

I am wondering what Churchill has done with all the 2nd Floor Grandstand seats a number of us here at DerbyTrail used to purchase. There were very few second floor seats included in these on-line sales.

I'm going to be at CD for opening day the prior weekend, so this might be the year I bail on the Derby itself. I don't see how $600 for first floor grandstand seats for two days is worth it.