Kentucky Derby 2008 Insights/Advice
 

OK,

I have never been to he Derby and for my 40th a couple of buddies and I are looking to finally make the trip. I am looking for advice on how to best experience the Kentucky Derby, if anyone can provide insights on where to stay, what are the places to eat, and where the best place is at the track to get the most of to day...

I would appreciate any feedback, links, is there a one stop shop all to make arrangements, :confused: etc...

Thank You

What's your budget? That is the first most important question...

get tickets NOT in the infield. A couple years ago they built "skyboxes" around the infield so if you are in the infiled the only way to watch the races is on a bigscreen TV. I went last year for the first time as well, and quite frankly it is something that every horseplayer should experience once, but I doubt I would do it again. Just too many people and even with very good seats, tough to get a good view of the races.

It was an excellent experience, saw Michael Jordan, and a few other celebs, as well as some very weird people. So the "experience" was great but from a pure horse player perspective it's one and done for me.


Do you have tickets already?

My budget is approx. $3,000 - $5,000. Is that realistic? Also, we do not have tickets yet, so insight on seating/logistics for where best to be at the track is much appreciated.

With that budget you should be able to get pretty good tickets. Don't get infield tickets, but make sure that you visit the infield during the day.

Also, if you don't live in Louisville, make sure you get your hotel rooms reserved NOW. Don't wait on that...

Any recommendations on where to stay?

the earlier you make your reservations, the better. The longer you wait the further you will have to stay from CD. If I were you I'd start calling right away. Most hotels have a cancellation policy that if something changes you dont pay any penalty. All the usual suspects are in the area ( Mariott, Days Inn, Quality, etc. ) I waited until late last year and everything locally was sold out. Finally I found a place in Elizabethtown ( approx 50 miles away ) for 70 a night, my plans changed and was able to cancel with no fees. I wound up staying at a friend's place in Louisville

p.s.
i have 6 tickets sec. 123 for the Derby sec. 224 for the Oaks

PM me interested. I usually sell them on eBay starting January.

If you give me the 5k I will let you sleep in my tack room, will get you on the backside in the morning for the free donuts, will show you how to sneak up to the clubhouse without spending the $$ on a ticket and get you Steve Byk's selections for the day along with his autograph.

How did you get tickets already?

What kind of donuts? Anything with filling, or just plain glazed? Also, can you get me in position to rub up against Pam Anderson?

ew.

I thought she stopped going because of how mean it is to make the horsies run:rolleyes:

I think it is like season tickets for other sports. Once you have them, you have them in the same spot every year.

My advise
 

1. Go to the races earlier in the week, Thurs/Fri to enjoy the track. Once Saturday rolls around it is a massive wave of people and very difficult to get anywhere.

2. Track is very large. Spend Thurs. walking around as there's lots to see.

3. Got to check the infield..make a trip out there early Saturday and take a camera, you'll see something strange.

4. Be prepared to walk......alot, and wait......alot.

5. Stay downtown or close to it. That's where the "action" is, if that's what you want.

6. Saturday. Get clubhouse seats...anywhere.

7. Bring a raincoat.

Bardstown Road Area Has Plenty of Good Place to Eat..
 

will be packed but if you res ahead..

Also, getting in and out of the area can be a bear. Your choices are to park near the football stadium and walk in.. maybe half a mile, or you can park downtown and take free/very cheap bus shuttles which I would recommend unless you are springing for a limo. Finally, if you want to come really early, every resident for 10 blocks around the track will let you park on in their front yard for $20 bucks, but again the traffic out is gridlock after the Derby.

The buses have secure routes in and out and it will be the least headache of any way to get there and get out of the madness.

Also, if you can get your bets down early in the day, you will lower your stress level significantly, the betting lines will get more and more packed as the card goes on, add about 200,000 mint julips... you can spend a lot of time in line to the windows

Have a great time. :)

I/L

Since you have the budget I'd definitely recommend going Thursday through Saturday. It is a totally different feel all three days. If you can, get down to Fourth Street Live for the Derby Draw on ESPN. Fun to be right there in the mix and there is usually a concert afterwards.

Excellent advice. The football stadium is the way to go. Short walk and zero traffic troubles getting out (a little tailgating before and after doesn't hurt either).

The betting lines become ureal as the day wears on...

No, when you are signing up for tickets, they ask you if you had tickets last year, and there is a disclaimer that says if you did, people that didn't have them last year have preference.

I obviously don't know, but when I went two years ago, the people sitting around me said they had those same seats for years (some over 20 years).

yeah I have never been so I could be an idiot, I just remember that disclaimer