Derby Advice?

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by dean smith

I'm going to my first Derby this year. I've got some questions for some of you Churchill Downs veterans:

1) Is my Derby Trail t-shirt acceptable dress, or do I have to go Rain Man-style and bring the heat? On that subject, do I have to buy my wife a hat? If so, how much is a new Derby-worthy hat going to cost me? Keep in mind, we aren't sitting on Millionaire's Row next to Diddy (we're in Section 128 at the top of the stretch).

2) Eating arrangements. Any ideas on how to handle this, at or away from the track?

3) We decided to go rather late -- yesterday, actually -- how far from the track do I have to drive to find a reasonable place to stay this late in the game?

4) Anything at the track that I simply HAVE to see or be a part of?

5) Any other tips or advice?

I'm a 19 year infielder by choice, and don't see that changing anytime soon, but I do have a few helpful hings.

For lodging, check some of the places in Shepherdsville, exit 117 off of I-65. There are some decent places and Churchill is exit 129, so only 12 miles. You can find Hampton Inn/Baymont Suites type limited service lodging there in the $120-150/night range.

Taxi rides in are not that difficult if you think a little ahead. Probably $30-40. The problem with a taxi is the ride back. They send everyone out in a long line where all of the taxi's pickup outside the main gate. It backs up shortly after the Derby, and doesn't thin out until well after the last race. I've waited over an hour in that line which feels like you are going back and forth waiting to ride space mountain or something. Don't even think about venturing out the other way to find a taxi because the madhouse of the infield goes that way.

If you go to the infield with your wife while dressed nicely, go earlier. After 3p it's a total drunken mess...I'll be at the 5/8ths pole on the turf course, but you don't want to bring anyone around after 3. My wife doesn't go anymore, opting to just pretend I don't act 22 on Derby weekend.

Very important tip. By the 3rd or 4th race, start thinking ahead on wagers. Once I'm convinced the track is fair, I bet at least two races everytime I go. Example, I bet the 3rd and 7th. Next trip the 4th and 8th..5th and 9th......and so on. This will keep you from having to go to the windows every race after the 6th or so and the lines can be awful with thousands of gamblers, first timers, and inexperienced tellers. It's no fun trying to call a Pick 3 wheel for a teller on their first day.