Planning ahead - Ky Derby 2007

[pdrift1]

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

OK, next year I'm going to Kentucky for the First Saturday in May and I could use some help. Can anyone recommend the best/safest place to get tickets as well as a good hotel to stay at? If anyone has any recommendations for the best way to experience the Derby, I'd love to hear them. FYI, I'm not looking for the "infield experience" since I'm 40 and no longer enjoy getting so drunk that I can't remember where I am/where I left the car/where I left my underwear. I'll probably fly in either Tues/Wed before and leave the following Monday... any help is greatly appreciated.

also do the derby museum and movie since its your first time and the grave sites right next to the museum inside the white gate, there is also a parade but cant remeber what day parade is downtown louisville

The farm tours are a must. I would actually stay in Frankfort. That way it will be an easy drive to Louisville. I would park at Papa Johns Stadium and take the shuttle to the track. Museum is a must.

[paisjpq]

I agree with Euro that you will probably have better luck and better pricing if you stay in Frankfort...and the drive isn't bad. Farm tours are an absolute must...I don't know if they are open to the public but try to get into Winstar...place is great, both the stallion barns and the training section and the foaling barns. Hands down my favorite farm in the area. Three chimneys, Ashford, Juddmonte, Gainsway, are Lane's End are also must sees. And make sure you check out keeneland even thought they won't be running. The library there is incredible.

Originally Posted by paisjpq

I agree with Euro that you will probably have better luck and better pricing if you stay in Frankfort...and the drive isn't bad. Farm tours are an absolute must...I don't know if they are open to the public but try to get into Winstar...place is great, both the stallion barns and the training section and the foaling barns. Hands down my favorite farm in the area. Three chimneys, Ashford, Juddmonte, Gainsway, are Lane's End are also must sees. And make sure you check out keeneland even thought they won't be running. The library there is incredible.

You don't wanna stay all the way out there. Piss on that. You'll spend the whole day driving. On the outskirts of the Lousiville metro area on Hurstbourne Road you can get a room at a reasonable price without having to commute that far each day.
Skip Lexington, its as boring in that town as watching paint dry or watching grass grow. Used to stay there years ago and its a drag.
Lots of things to do in Louisville Derby week. If you like baseball head on down to Slugger Field and check out the reds Triple AAA farm club take on the Yankees triple AAA farm club(they always schedule the yanks farm team to be in town that week knowing it draws in visiting northeasterners), its a spectacular ball park.
Hit Jeff Ruby's for drinks and dinner one night, its on West Main Street downtown.
Head on out to works in the morning, which will be hard if you are all the way out in Frankfort, grab a room on Hurstbourne instead.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by oracle80

You don't wanna stay all the way out there. Piss on that. You'll spend the whole day driving. On the outskirts of the Lousiville metro area on Hurstbourne Road you can get a room at a reasonable price without having to commute that far each day.
Skip Lexington, its as boring in that town as watching paint dry or watching grass grow. Used to stay there years ago and its a drag.
Lots of things to do in Louisville Derby week. If you like baseball head on down to Slugger Field and check out the reds Triple AAA farm club take on the Yankees triple AAA farm club(they always schedule the yanks farm team to be in town that week knowing it draws in visiting northeasterners), its a spectacular ball park.
Hit Jeff Ruby's for drinks and dinner one night, its on West Main Street downtown.
Head on out to works in the morning, which will be hard if you are all the way out in Frankfort, grab a room on Hurstbourne instead.

...but if one has never been to KY the farms cannot be skipped. They are ultra impressive and any fan of the game should thoroughly enjoy seeing them.

Originally Posted by paisjpq

...but if one has never been to KY the farms cannot be skipped. They are ultra impressive and any fan of the game should thoroughly enjoy seeing them.

I suppose I'm not the best guy to appreciate that. back in the late 90's I went to Governor Jones place, Airdrie, because someone I knew owned a stallion in partnership with him. He turned out to be a great guy, but while I was there I actually had to watch the stallion do his job and its just about the grossest thing you could ever witness. All those guys performing different tasks, while this is going on. Ugh, that was enough horse farm experience for me thanks!!!
Although he had a stallion there as we walked around and Gvr Jones showed me all of em, a new stallion that was there at the time, lovely grey named El Prado and I rememeber petting his head and saying what a nice horse. Had no idea he'd turn into what he did.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by oracle80

I suppose I'm not the best guy to appreciate that. back in the late 90's I went to Governor Jones place, Airdrie, because someone I knew owned a stallion in partnership with him. He turned out to be a great guy, but while I was there I actually had to watch the stallion do his job and its just about the grossest thing you could ever witness. All those guys performing different tasks, while this is going on. Ugh, that was enough horse farm experience for me thanks!!!
Although he had a stallion there as we walked around and Gvr Jones showed me all of em, a new stallion that was there at the time, lovely grey named El Prado and I rememeber petting his head and saying what a nice horse. Had no idea he'd turn into what he did.

thats pretty funny...guess I shouldn't tell you what my job was when we took the studs to the shed on th morgan farm I used to work at...

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by oracle80

I suppose I'm not the best guy to appreciate that. back in the late 90's I went to Governor Jones place, Airdrie, because someone I knew owned a stallion in partnership with him. He turned out to be a great guy, but while I was there I actually had to watch the stallion do his job and its just about the grossest thing you could ever witness. All those guys performing different tasks, while this is going on. Ugh, that was enough horse farm experience for me thanks!!!
Although he had a stallion there as we walked around and Gvr Jones showed me all of em, a new stallion that was there at the time, lovely grey named El Prado and I rememeber petting his head and saying what a nice horse. Had no idea he'd turn into what he did.

I saw A.P. Indy that way...couldn't figure out if I should have been honored due to his status or grossed out. LOL

[Sightseek]

We stayed Wed-Sunday in a hotel in Elizabethtown. 30-40 minute drive maybe, right off the highway w/ plenty of conveniences around and all of the hotels are nice. It was very easy to come in and out of Louisville everyday and was cheaper than all the hotels in Louisville. The year before I did the ride to and from Lexington and found this one much easier (and shorter!).

Just a heads up, but during Derby season, unless you're a breeder, will be hard to get into any stud farms for a look. It is still breeding season and I'm told most farms give perference to their clients who are in town for the Derby.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by oracle80

You don't wanna stay all the way out there. Piss on that. You'll spend the whole day driving. On the outskirts of the Lousiville metro area on Hurstbourne Road you can get a room at a reasonable price without having to commute that far each day.
Skip Lexington, its as boring in that town as watching paint dry or watching grass grow. Used to stay there years ago and its a drag.
Lots of things to do in Louisville Derby week. If you like baseball head on down to Slugger Field and check out the reds Triple AAA farm club take on the Yankees triple AAA farm club(they always schedule the yanks farm team to be in town that week knowing it draws in visiting northeasterners), its a spectacular ball park.
Hit Jeff Ruby's for drinks and dinner one night, its on West Main Street downtown.
Head on out to works in the morning, which will be hard if you are all the way out in Frankfort, grab a room on Hurstbourne instead.

This may change now that columbus is no longer the yankee's farm club. i think scranton is now their AAA club?

Lexington is not cheaper/nicer than Louisville
in fact, I find the opposite to be true
if you stay in Lexington you'll never forgive yourself
and why waste time at a horse farm that week
when there's so much going on in Louisville
no one has addressed tickets
be prepared to drop some $$ there
If I find a deal I'll let you know

[pdrift1]

Originally Posted by BellamyRd.

Lexington is not cheaper/nicer than Louisville
in fact, I find the opposite to be true
if you stay in Lexington you'll never forgive yourself
and why waste time at a horse farm that week
when there's so much going on in Louisville
no one has addressed tickets
be prepared to drop some $$ there
If I find a deal I'll let you know

sry but lexington is cheaper . alot of hotels require 3 night min stay at outrageous prices in louisville. he already said notta on the hard partying and thats what most of it is. and lexington is far better then louisville. if you want to drink and party stay in louisville if you want to see horses head to lexington

[DerbyCat]

Thanks for the input so far everyone, I appreciate it. I started looking at hotels, car rentals, ticket brokers, major sights I need to see and I've got to be honest - it's overwhelming! I'm contemplating doing a travel package deal that provides tickets, hotel, transportation, and farm tours - it costs more but it may be worth it to have someone else take care of the logistics... I know a lot of you have done the Derby for many years and you've got your itinerary down cold but for a newbie like me I think a package might be best... any thoughts?

Originally Posted by DerbyCat

Thanks for the input so far everyone, I appreciate it. I started looking at hotels, car rentals, ticket brokers, major sights I need to see and I've got to be honest - it's overwhelming! I'm contemplating doing a travel package deal that provides tickets, hotel, transportation, and farm tours - it costs more but it may be worth it to have someone else take care of the logistics... I know a lot of you have done the Derby for many years and you've got your itinerary down cold but for a newbie like me I think a package might be best... any thoughts?

might be the best way to go...wow Spokane! have fun!

[Revolution]

[quote=oracle80]Skip Lexington, its as boring in that town as watching paint dry or watching grass grow. QUOTE]

Are you talking about Saratoga Springs or Lexington, KY? There is plenty to do in Lexington, way more than you can do in the sticks up in NY. Must be real exciting up in Saratoga Springs. Atleast in Lexington their in UK basketball and horse farms.

What are you guys doing in Saratoga Springs? Watching Skidmore basketball.

[31lengths]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

I agree with Euro that you will probably have better luck and better pricing if you stay in Frankfort...and the drive isn't bad. Farm tours are an absolute must...I don't know if they are open to the public but try to get into Winstar...place is great, both the stallion barns and the training section and the foaling barns. Hands down my favorite farm in the area. Three chimneys, Ashford, Juddmonte, Gainsway, are Lane's End are also must sees. And make sure you check out keeneland even thought they won't be running. The library there is incredible.

Yeah...my folks stayed behind after the BC and went to Winstar, Ashford and Lane's end and got to see: Tiznow, Rock hard ten, Ap Indy, Giant's Causeway, Mine shaft, Blue grass cat, Distorted Humor and even Aragorn.

They said it was an awsome experience.

Don't get me wrong, Lexington has it's place
just not during derby week

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by BellamyRd.

Don't get me wrong, Lexington has it's place
just not during derby week

EXACTLY what I'm saying