2008 Derby Tickets
 

Has anybody heard from the Downs on their 2008 Derby tickets yet? I received tickets last year, but I recall having already received notice by this time of the year that I had tickets. I was notified today that I wasn't allocated tickets through the internet lottery; however, I purchased my tickets last year through the mail.

I'm going to have to start scrounging if, in fact, I won't have tickets, so I thought I'd ask the general forum if others have heard word from Churchill already on the 08 Derby.

Churchills new policy involves not selling any Derby tickets to any person that is not connected in their "corporate partnerships". They aim to make all seats available for the leading KFC managers and employees of the month winners. They will distribute the remaining tickets to the "corporate sponsor/scalper" who will get the biggest kickback for them. Sorry Slots, try the infield or buy some YUM stock.

I have friends who have been going for years and get seats every year-when one of them passes away or decides to stop going-they have a waiting list and another buddy joins them-are they now going to be frozen out?

It looks like my becoming a Kentucky Colonel was a very wise move...

I think Cannon is being at least half facetious. Half.

i received my invoice back in October. Paid right away. They mail the tickets out first week in April.

if you dont have an invoice yet it looks like no tickets. They always want them paid for by Oct.31


if you have tickets from the previous year you have to re-apply the following year. You get priority but no guarantee. You also must write each year a note telling them you had tickets the previous year with a photocopy of the previous year's invoice or stub.

I think he is too but I know that there was a lot of fuss over a couple of Press Releases that gave more tickets for corporate use and one if I recall said that you had to pay up front to have certain seats for a number of years-a debenture-it sounded like if they could get away with it-they would ensure that all tickets would be debenture style.

The Ky Colonels package is $895 but includes 2 other functions, tickets and lunch in the Museum on both Friday and Saturday.

half

I just got an e-mail from them saying that I finally got tix thru the lottery (been trying for 5 years and finally get them).

look pony up for the first Saturday in May it is well worth it

I have only had a patron number for 3 years. I did not receive an invoice this year so I called the office. They asked how many Twin Spires points I had. The woman said something about a new program which would require a personal seat license. I think they are going ask for 1000.00 a seat.

Well that is freaking ridiculous. I got seats last year through the lottery, but was only number like 800 out of 3400 or whatever in this year's lottery. I'll happily pay the seat license if that means I don't have to worry about getting tickets every single year.

What do you guys think is my best chance at trying to get some tickets to this years Kentucky Derby?? My dad told me a few years ago that he wants to make it to atleast one Kentucky Derby, so I decided to look into it this year. Ebay my only chance?

I would pony up.. the KD is an awesome event!

I will find out more about the seat license in Mid January. I was initially told that it would be a 5 year deal. It amounts to an extra 200.00 per ticket times 10. The face value in my section was 98 bucks a piece last year.

$1,000 for five years is well worth the cost of not having to pay a ticket broker for Derby seats.

I know it is. If it takes care of Oaks day too that will be even better. I usually don't sit in the stands for Oaks. We go to the backside and I trade those tix.

I plan to go to the 2008 Derby via backstretch access from hiding in Chuck Simon's trunk ;)

Call Charlie Weis

Alright Chuck Weis.................... I mean Chuck Simon, how do I get tickets to the Kentucky Derby????

Claim Hacker Craft next time he runs.

That will get you GOOD tickets

Admit that Notre Dame sucks and that you mave been misguided your whole life and secretly are a USC fan..........and I may help you.

Otherwise claim Hacker Craft and get 2 freebies

let me think about it.

I too had 1st Floor Grandstand tickets for 6 consecutive years but did not get an invoice this year.

I called Churchill Downs Special Events Office yesterday (502-636-4446). They told me about the Premium Seating program which involves purchasing a Personal Seat License (PSL) that is good for one year and allows you to decide if you want the same seats again the following year (would have to pay the PSL fee again the following year). Therefore, the cost of the tickets is the cost of the PSL plus the face value of the tickets.

They took my personal information including a request for what section I wanted to sit in -- someone then called me that evening and told me what seats were available in the section I was requesting. I ended up getting Section 222 seats for both the Derby (Row B) and the Oaks -- the cost per seat was $185 face value plus a $190 PSL ($375 per seat for both the Derby and the Oaks). They require a 50% credit card down payment on the PSL and then they will send me an invoice to pay the remaining amount by February 28.

$375 per seat is alot but the seats provide a great view (assuming no rain) and going to the Derby is priceless.

Well, called the number and left a message. Hopefully, I have the same experience.

Thanks for reminding me mbad. I just got the same section a few rows back.
See ya there

Shoot, I think you guys used up all the luck on this one. I can't get someone at CD to actually answer the phone when I call.

slotdirt: Keep trying to get a live person while there are good seats available.

The first time I called in the morning I got a voice mail message -- when I tried later that afternoon, I was able to get a live person. It appears that they are getting a very large amount of phone requests for tickets right now (as both employees I talked to on the phone sounded extremely busy, although they were very helpful).

I got a hold of somebody and she is sending me a brochure. She was swamped. Sounds like they still have seats available.

Shifting topics slightly, is it possible to just do a $50 GA ticket, not do the infield, and still have a good time?

Slot, they asked me for a patron number when I called earlier this month. A couple weeks later I got the brochure. I'm not sure sure if that is required or not.

Persistence pays! I just got a hold of someone, and I'm sitting in section 125 - not too fancy, but it's what they had available - and I'll get an invoice in the next several days. It's my understanding the personal seat license is for two years, so I'll have the option to retain the tickets for next year if I so choose (and I do so choose).

Thanks for the heads up on this, guys!

EDITED: to say that I just heard back and we're in row A, section 125. I had seats similar to this for the 2006 Derby, and there is nothing like front row seats for taking pictures at the Derby. Zero protection from the rain, but I'll take it.

Great news. Regarding the personal seat license, do you have to pay the PSL fee again next year ? I thought they told me you could retain the seats but still had to pay the fee.

I don't know. The Bloodhorse article from today indicates that it's a two year fee as I read it.

go too derby ..go out front ..get ticket form dude who looks like hes stuck ..go in have fun....