What do you do for the Derby?
 

I use to go up to GLD every Derby day, but with that closed I am no longer sure what I will do. I could always stay home and just use my Twin Spires account, but what fun is that? I'm thinking of either going to a crappy harness track in Michigan called Sports Creek, or making a little longer drive and going to Arlington Park. What do you guys do on the big day?

i live 1 mile from Arlington and I will once again spend the day at home.
to me its a day to soak in at home online and on TV rather than in a crowded madhouse. unless you're at CD you're essentially watching it on a TV screen anyway.

The race is such a mess this year that I care so little about wagering that I will probably just throw a Derby party here and try and get some of my friends excited going into Saratoga.

I usually place my bets beforehand and watch it on TV but I think I'm going to go to an OTB this year. I plan on dropping a lot of $ that day and I want to be able to adjust to odds fluctuations, bias, etc...

I usually get NAKED, go up to my roof, with a CASE of beer, and my softcover copy of Leaves of Grass

and read Walt Whitman to the Puerto Ricans down below, as they hang outside their apartments with their FAT chicks and their lap dogs.

Can't wait.

i do the same, otb at like noon, play the pick 4's and win bets, go home watch on tv.

I was kind of thinking the same because you don't have to worry about missing a bet, and you also don't have to worry about missing anything because you have your tv and computer to yourself.

If I did go the Arlington way, any advice?

i usually stay home and bet with my online account nice and peaceful no long lines:)

always stay at home and watch all the goings on, while snorting in disgust at the eye candy asking celebs stupid questions.

but this year...well, my daughter made all star for quiz bowl, so i'll be three hours away from home most of the day....i'll have to watch it on tape, and probably won't be home in time for the race itself. s'life.

If none of my friends show up I might just give that a try.

get there REAL early or try to by a ticket online. depends a lot on what you like to do.

last year I went on Oaks day to the track, which was also opening day at Arlington, then stayed home on derby day. sometimes I'll go up there early on derby day to the otb to make my main wagers, just in case the online world takes a dump or gets too congested on the big day.

I will be going to the Derby this year. I am looking forward to Derby. Hopefully the undercard will be good this year. I am really looking forward to the Oaks. There are some good fillies out there.

Derby comes 2 days after the elections here-i probably won't get out of bed on Friday and Saturday and just watch the Derby at 11pm

Is there anywhere at Arlington where you can get a good seat with a tv on Derby day? I was about to get my tickets online, but not sure if that is what I am going to do yet. I see they are going to try to break the Derby record for attendance.

there are many good seats with TV's. I dont know which ones are sold online though. my suggestion if you're thinking of going is to call the ticket office and tell them what you're looking for.

stay home in bed, bathrobe, just like brian wilson did..............

At Belmont if not at Churchill.

Go on the Friday before and get your Saturday seat, that is the best way to do it, there is like 3 areas where you can pay for your own seat and TV, or there are a couple other areas where you can get their real early on Saturday and sprint for a seat in some of the free simucasting areas.

have you ever been?

Are the Puerto Ricans any less chagrined with you living in their neighborhood?

Ay, que vida tan cruel. Tan cruel.

i'll take a drive to the distant otb. come home watch on tv. make a dish of ice cream on top of a brownie prior to the KD and enjoy that while the race is on.

Ever been where? I was talking about Arlington....

are you winning ?

Get up early, put some rub on ribs, lite the coals at 10 AM and let them slow cook till post time...bet from home...:D

snorting coke with the lead singer of three dog night?

Sounds like the best bet so far.

7am flight to vegas. meet friends at bally's sports book around 830am. late lunch at the palm restaurant after the derby, 1030pm flight home.

Usually I get together with some of my friends from Puerto Rico and we climb on a roof and beat the crap out of some fat naked guy.

+1.

Derby party for me. :cool:

oaks day play from home or go to otb.
derby day, play a few undercard races from home. then drive the 50 min. to charlestown, we have reservations in the terrace dining room.

sounds interesting.

I used to go to the track the night before and get all my bets in, now I just play online and about 30 minutes before the race I have my traditional bowl of Chili con queso & chips... yummmmm.. Course in my B.M.D days (Before Mom days :D ) I used to do something that made me get the munchies and made it even more enjoyable;)

I usually take the day off from work but I don't think I'll be doing that this year. Just not the "into it" I guess.

Yeah...real good sex gives me the munchies too.

Long ago, I tried,, a few times, to have a Derby party. I would invite some of my horse riding friends, but it didn't work because they were not really racing fans. I would end up going ballistic and yelling at everyone to "Shut the eff up or get the eff outta here. Or BOTH!". So after that,(FYI... I did eventually get new friends) I just stayed home by myself so I could watch and hear everything and not have to strangle someone. But NOW, I really have a good deal going. I have these great friends, Tonya and her husband Chris, who are huge sports fans. They are always glued to the TV watching whatever sport is on. Gradually, over the years, I have gotten them interested in racing. Now they are all into it, watching all the preps, tivo-ing races for me, etc. So for the past few years, and this year included, we have a standing date on the first Sat. in May. We all take off work that weekend and get together at their house. We wear stupid hats, drink Mint Juleps(among many other beverages), bring a bunch of food and Chris grills out half the day. Last year he grilled whole teriyaki chickens and got cheese and veggie trays from the local deli. Basically, we just drink and eat our heads off all weekend. And no one talks during the race!! It is an AWESOME, laidback time!

Mmmmmmm, ribs......

Dreamland's.....mmmmmmm:D

Headed to F.P. most likely, see Yak & the gang at the OTB and then hang out on "E-street" most likely.

Gotta get that cooler too!

Vegas Baby....The Palazzo Thursday night/back Sunday...then to the poor house. :)

Going to the Derby this year against my better judgement (we usually go to Oaks day and throw a party for Derby day). Section 221. And no... I'm not dumb enough to have paid the $1,000 a seat the tickets were... someone bought them for me.

Count me in on that.