I would not give up hope just yet. I live in Louisville and will keep trying for tickets and will keep the board informed.

I went back to check to see if there were any tickets left from Wednesday's sale and clicked on the website link in my browsing history and lo and behold, it appears to let you go in and buy tickets. I PMed some of you on this thread with the website link. But the prices are still unreasonably high unless you want Section 128. And right now there were no 2nd Floor Grandstand seats out there -- who bought all the 2nd Floor seats that a number of us used to have in prior years?

Thanks for that, appreciate it. Might jump on the 128 tickets just to get some and try and upgrade for Derby Day.

I wonder if the link I sent you is an intended back door into their website. I guess the worst they can do is not honor the sale and not charge your credit card. But if it allows you to purchase the tickets, they should honor the sale. I will probably also go in and buy the Section 128 tickets.

Can't even access the website. when you do, none of the links work. who is churchill's web programmer... :eek:

I sent you a PM with the website link I sent a few others yesterday. See if it works and good luck.

Section 128 blows and I'm still not paying $600 for second floor grandstand. My HDTV and twinspires.com will have to do the trick this year.

I think Section 128 is okay from the front row. They had some front row seats available in Section 128 yesterday.

I've sat in the temporary seating for Derby before (2007) and wasn't a big fan. I will say that the lines for the port-a-potties out in that area are infinitely shorter than the lines for the regular bathrooms, so I guess that is a plus.

I'm late to the discussion so I don't know if this has already been stated, but ticket brokers usually offer 3rd floor grandstand seats for around $650-$700 per seat for Derby Day. If I'm reading some of the other offers on here correctly, going through a broker in the final days before the race might be the way to go.

Has anybody had much luck buying tickets the couple days before the derby from a local broker or buying from a scalper the day of the derby?

650 for a 3rd floor ticket is a steal compared to a similar amount for section 128.

Churchill was selling the Section 128 tickets for $185 each that includes both the Derby and Oaks.

I bought 4 in Section 225 at $275 a pop (tix for both days) through the "Premium" sale.
They went on EBay today.

Also, I've had good luck just wandering around outside Derby morning if you don't need more than 2 tickets. Usually you'll find someone who has corporate tickets with a couple extras that is happy to unload them for just over face for some fresh cash.

I see the Section 111 tickets back on the website at $243 each for both days.

Amazingly, both Preakness and Belmont tickets are now available...on Ticketmaster? Anyway, I'll be making a return to Elmont for the first time since 2008. Have to get my Triple Crown fix somehow.

Not everybody is my group is making it this year so I have some extras if anybody is interested:

Oaks - 3 tickets - Section 126 Row V
Derby - probably 1 ticket (but maybe 3) - Section 126 Row V

Also have an extra hotel room at the airport. Check in Friday, out on Sunday. Booked it a year ago before they jacked up the rates. PM me if interested.

Hustle
PM me the price..........when will you know about the Derby?

CDI being as customer friendly as ever:




Thank you for registering for tickets to the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks!

In response to the feedback from our customers and in an effort to provide you with the best experience possible, we are enhancing the process for our online ticketing sales.

Visitors will now have the unique opportunity to select preferences for their seating locations for the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby and Oaks.

On Monday, November 7, 2011, you will receive an e-mail and Seating Preference Request Form that describes available seating options and pricing.

A deposit in the amount of $100 is required to be paid by credit card at the time you submit your preferences. If your request is filled, your $100 deposit will be applied toward the price of the tickets being purchased. If we are unable to fulfill your request, $50 of your deposit will be refunded to your credit card and the remaining $50 will be retained as an administrative fee. If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to sales@kyderby.com.

Churchill Downs will accept completed Seating Preference Request Forms for Kentucky Derby and Oaks seats from November 7, 2011, through Sunday, November 20, 2011.

If we are able to fulfill your request an electronic invoice will be sent by January 31, 2012. If we are unable to fulfill your request an electronic refund notice will be sent by January 31, 2012.

Requests will be filled in order of time received, subject to ticket availability and based on the ticket preferences you select.

Good luck and thank you for your interest in the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Oaks!

Wow. If we can't fulfill your request, we'll keep half of your money.

Brilliant strategy.

If ANYONE accepts this scam, well, we are doomed.

I get the feeling that the 'unfulfilled' ticket requesters may get together and take a little collective litigation against CDI...............what BS.

How so? The rules are right there for all to see. If you send your $100, you are agreeing to the terms set forth.

I'm glad we went when we did, got it out of the system cause there is zero chance I would ever agree to this.

More alienation of the wrong people.

I just got the same email. For the first few seconds that I started reading, I was thinking...Great!


Then I got to the part about the deposit, etc. and I thought BS, no way would I even consider it. What's the purpose in keeping half the deposit?

Unmitigated GREED

Yeah, nothing but profit. I'd have to imagine lots of people are still going to jump in the pool for Derby tickets though, regardless of the likelihood that you're going to pay CDI $50 just to have the dream of owning Derby tickets for two months.

This isn't wholly unprecedented though. The New York City marathon, for instance, charges like $15 just to get into a lottery to get in the race, and only something like 10 percent of lottery entrants get a bib number. It's all about profit.

Agreed. They are making it easier and easier to stay home, watch it in HD and push my money through an ADW.

I'm also glad Scavs went when he did so I could witness him wearing Tony Montana's suit to the Derby.

It came back out on Million Day this year after I was dared. It wasn't what it used to be.

That's kind of a one-off outfit. It would be like Lady Gaga wearing her outfit made of meat a second time.

Aren't we doomed anyway?

So I did read it correctly... not exactly a 'fan friendly' move on their part.

Well, depends on your definition of "fan friendly," I suppose.

Per Jenny Rees Courier Journal article:

With being able to specify 10 preferred locations for seats and the ability to pay a 20% premium to go to the head of the list (for Derby tickets, it's worth it), I think I will take my chances and risk the $50.

http://www.courier-journal.com/artic...don-t-get-seat

Under the new system, fans can sign up
online at churchilldowns.com/tickets to
start the process.

On Nov. 7 they will receive an email
including a seating-preference request
form. Applicants can list up to 10 locations
in order of preference. In addition, they
can agree to pay 20 percent more for the
tickets in order to go to the head of the
line.

Everyone applying must provide a $100
deposit via credit card with a deadline of
Nov. 20. Of that, $50 will be credited
toward the cost of the seats if a person
gets tickets. The other $50 goes toward
the administrative fee.

For those who don’t get tickets, $50 will be
refunded.

Everyone who wants to gamble on actually getting a seat should challenge the charge on their VISA. At a minimum it will give CDI a lot of headaches when their are thousands of investigations going on, and it might make VISA more hostile toward CDI and put pressure on them to curb this nonsense.

After all, isn't the time interval of when they "were not successful" up for dispute? If I gave $100 to get a ticket, I don't want them giving up the search for my ticket until the day before the Derby.

My $50 went to Churchill's pockets, even though I stated I was willing to pay the extra 20% for first priority. See email below that I received.

Was anyone else successful?

Thank you for participating in the new preference form for reserved seats at the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks! Unfortunately, we were not able to accommodate any of your preferences and a check for $50 should arrive the first or second week of February.

However, please go to http://www.churchilldowns.com/tickets/refund at noon on Wednesday, February 8 to see if there is any available inventory from customers who did not pay their invoice by the deadline.

Also, although this was not one of your preferences, we do still have reserved seats left in Section 125 that includes access to an on-site hospitality lounge called the Infield Club where food is included. This option will be available at http://www.churchilldowns.com/tickets/refund at noon on Wednesday, February 8.

We are grateful for your interest in Churchill Downs and want you to still be part of these historic events. If you are unable to purchase reserved seats at the website beginning February 8, here are ways you can enjoy the first weekend in May:

1. General Admission -- You can always join the party with a general admission ticket. Price is $40 for Derby and $25 for Oaks when purchased online at www.churchilldowns.com/tickets.

2) Taste of Derby - Thursday, May 3. Mingle with horse racing celebrities and savor an evening of exquisite cuisine and wines as nationally renowned chefs from horse racing destinations across the country serve samples of their regional specialties. Partial proceeds benefit hunger relief organizations. Ticket includes red carpet entry, food and wine tastings, premium open bar, complimentary valet service, and live entertainment by Nashville-based Burning Las Vegas. Visit www.TasteofDerby.com for event details or to purchase your tickets.

3) Kentucky Derby Party – You can always bring the thrill and excitement of the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” into your own home on NBC. Check out our entire party planning website at www.KentuckyDerbyParty.com and because we value your participation, use code PARTYSPECIAL at www.KentuckyDerbyStore.com to receive a $150 party package for only $99.

Thanks again for your interest in Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. We regret that we could not accommodate your preferences for reserved seats, but hope you will still join us to celebrate the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. If you need assistance, please send your questions to sales@kyderby.com and we will be happy to help you.

I got the 4 I requested (section 122) and a friend got the 6 he requested. We both paid the 20% fee and submitted our request immediately after getting the email saying we could do so.

Oh gee i missed this one way back when... :D