2010 Derby Personal Seat Licenses

[mbahadur]

From kentuckyderby.com website:

Churchill Downs. online sale of limited two-day Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks ticket packages, which was delayed Wednesday by a potential data error with its new online box office, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 6 at noon EST. A total of 3,000 seats have been allocated for this online exclusive.

As promised, reserved seating packages to be sold, which include tickets to both the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, April 30 and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 1, include:

Third-floor clubhouse box seats in sections 312-314 and access to the Secretariat Lounge, an exclusive, upscale, indoor hospitality area that will feature premium gourmet food, an open bar, televisions, betting kiosks and live music between races (50 boxes or 300 seats which range from $6,132-$6,390 per six-seat box);
First-floor clubhouse box seats in section 111 (166 boxes or 996 seats which cost $1,500 per six-seat box);
Second-floor grandstand bleacher seats in sections 222-225 (300 seats which range from $214-$225 per seat); and
First-floor grandstand bleacher seats in sections 121-128 (1,404 seats which range from $172-$207 per seat).
Ticket prices vary based on location. There is a purchase limit of six seats or one box per order. Those who want to purchase box seats must purchase the entire box, which includes seats for six. Tickets must be purchased with a Visa credit or debit card. Minimal ticket processing charges will apply.


I purchased a 2 year PSL the last couple years for seats in the 2nd Floor Grandstand and did not receive an invoice this year for the 2010 Derby. I called the Premium seating office this morning to inquire about whether I could still keep my seats in the Second Floor Grandstand -- they indicated that I might be able to keep my seats and took my phone number and would have someone call be back tomorrow

[mbahadur]

Originally Posted by mbahadur

I purchased a 2 year PSL the last couple years for seats in the 2nd Floor Grandstand and did not receive an invoice this year for the 2010 Derby. I called the Premium seating office this morning to inquire about whether I could still keep my seats in the Second Floor Grandstand -- they indicated that I might be able to keep my seats and took my phone number and would have someone call be back tomorrow

I called the Premium Seating office back this afternoon and was able to purchase almost the same seats as last year in the 2nd Floor Grandstand. The great thing now is that I do not have to pay a $190 per seat PSL fee. Derby seats in Section 222 are $140 ($127 last year) and Oaks seats are $85 ($58 last year) plus a $15 handling fee. Even with the increased face value of the seats in 2010, each seat is $150 lower than last year due to the elimination of the PSL fee.

[Drag66]

That's interesting. I had a PSL for section 123, row A for the past 2 years. After not getting an invoice, I wrote and called. When I called, they said my seats were not available and they stated that I could try to get them online on January 6th (which will be a ridiculous free for all). Churchill has been so inconsistent with tickets for Derby 2010.

[mbahadur]

Originally Posted by Drag66

That's interesting. I had a PSL for section 123, row A for the past 2 years. After not getting an invoice, I wrote and called. When I called, they said my seats were not available and they stated that I could try to get them online on January 6th (which will be a ridiculous free for all). Churchill has been so inconsistent with tickets for Derby 2010.

Did you check to see if you could buy other seats in Section 123 or nearby? It might be worth another call before they do the online sale on January 6 (which I agree will be a free for all -- I gotta believe tickets scalpers will see the opportunity to get tickets at face value, which is well below market value).

I am not sure what criteria they used in determining that I could still purchase seats (I have had Derby seats since 2002 and I know they looked up my name on their computer before telling me that I could request to purchase the same seats and someone would call me back).

[Drag66]

Thanks. I called them and they said that they would see what they can do. They looked up my name on the computer and said they will call me back soon.

[mbahadur]

Originally Posted by Drag66

Thanks. I called them and they said that they would see what they can do. They looked up my name on the computer and said they will call me back soon.

There is someone behind the scenes in the Premium Seating office that will review your request. In case they do not get back to you by Monday, I would call them back before the January 6 on-line sale.

Also, have your VISA card ready as they want you to pay for the tickets while they have you on the phone.

Good luck as it always good to see DT'ers be successful in getting Derby tickets. Derby tickets are not as hard to get as most people think. I work in Louisville and see many of my co-workers get free invites to the Oaks and the Derby.

[slotdirt]

Anybody notice CDI put a bunch more Derby tickets on sale yesterday? I know at least a few folks who were able to grab some.

[slotdirt]

Did anybody try to get on the surprise Derby tickets sale this morning? Just an absolutely fustercluck. I know I couldn't get the online ticketing system to work to save my life. Hopefully, other ticket sales will happen as we get closer to May.

[mbahadur]

Originally Posted by mbahadur

It might be worth another call before they do the online sale on January 6 (which I agree will be a free for all -- I gotta believe tickets scalpers will see the opportunity to get tickets at face value, which is well below market value).

Tickets from today's on-line sale sold out in less than an hour.

[slotdirt]

Not that impressive when you consider there were only around 3,000 of them. A Bruce Springsteen show at the Verizon Center sold out in 12 minutes a couple years ago, and that is 20,000-ish seats.

[mbahadur]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Not that impressive when you consider there were only around 3,000 of them. A Bruce Springsteen show at the Verizon Center sold out in 12 minutes a couple years ago, and that is 20,000-ish seats.

Quote from Churchill Downs track president:

"There was extraordinary demand with more than 50,000 online requests within the first five minutes," Flanery said. "We're thrilled for those who were fortunate to purchase reserved seats and sympathize with those who didn't have the luck of the draw this time around."