Ever been to the KY Derby?

[Hey Mickey]

Hey, I have no idea if this has been talked about or not.... I don't usually venture over here.

My birthday is on Derby Day, and I only live a couple of hours away...
Soo a group of us might be going... (I'll be the big 2-0)
We were just going to get infeild tickets.... and wing it.
I hear the parking is horrible.. and there is some kind of shuttle system?

Whats it like? Is it worth it? How early should we try and get there?

[secretariat]

Everyone should attend the infield once. You won't see any horses, but the atmosphere is awesome. Be prepared to party

You might wait 'till 21 to be legal. It's an outdoor cocktail party. Be prepared for rude, naked, drunk people. Be sure to take your sense of humor. Females will have to wait 2+ hours to pee.

Everything is inconvenient, but for some reason it's not an issue. Maybe the alcoholic fog.

The last time I went? 1973, hence my moniker on this board. I had a hoot, but I won't go back until I have a box (seating or casket).

[subk]

Going to the Derby is one of those great American lifetime experiences. I've done the infield, the stands and the boxes--I probably had the most fun in the infield! Of course I was just a young thing like you at the time. It's just a big party that happens to coincide with a horse race. Don't expect to see much horse flesh anywhere but on the jumbotron.

I've always had great luck with the shuttles. We park in downtown L'ville and ride in. Usually it's pretty easy in and out, although we rarely stay much beyond the big race.

[QHJockee]

I recommend doing what I do - take my $10 Kentucky stable employee license, hitch a ride with a trainer or assistant who has one in that day (and therefore, has backside parking priviledges) and have a first class ride to a party on the backside. BBQ, pig roasts, the atmosphere is totally awesome....plus I have some photos that rival those of AP photographers.

I usually watch the race on the fence as they are coming out of the first turn, also where they pull up so if you see a jock that knows you, they will sometimes ask you who won (like i can see!).


derby is like mardi gras, everyone should go at least once!

[Hey Mickey]

hmmmm...
I'd really like to see the actual race, but it does sound fun!

and it is on my birthday... really, how often does that happen?
I'm thinking we will go, although i really don't want to stand 2 hours in line to pee.... that does not sound good, you might as well squat where ever you are.

QHJockee, want to take me? that sounds amazing!

[Forego]

You can also buy general admission tickets,you still will not see an actual race but you will be able to get to the paddock[I don't think you can with infield tickets].
The general admission tickets are somewhere around 40 or 50 dollars,and you will see horses,and not have to wait 2 hours to pee!
I will be there!

[Acertainsmile]

I've been to the Derby, and sat in box seats... I'm a little surprised that the infield is as wild as some describe... I have always had the impression that it was pretty mild compared to the infield "zoo" at Pimlico on Preakness Day!

[Mrs. Smith]

Can anyone share infield pointers?

It'll just be my husband and I and we've been advised to buy the general admission ticket to get to the paddock area. Do we need to get there early to secure those tickets?

What should we bring and what should we leave at home? I assume we should bring a camera and sunblock/raincoat depending on the weater...

Any other tips for KY Derby infield novices?

[Acertainsmile]

If it's anything like the Preakness infield (which I think it is) Do NOT wear high heels, or any other article of clothing that you value!

Have fun!

[Cloud Walk]

I went in 1993 and it was a fabulous experience. My friend and I went with some locals who had the plan down pat. We got there VERY early in the morning to stake out a place at the fence. We brought blankets, etc. for the day. Security looked through everyone's bags back then, so I am sure that they still do that and more. I don't remember where we parked, but the walk/parking was not horrible. We wore sweatshirts with tshirts underneath to accomodate weather changes.
The crowds were huge, the betting lines long (but moved quickly) and I don't remember a huge bathroom line. The most awesome experience was watching the people climb on the barn rooftops to watch the derby. Electrifing. Go...don't miss the experience.

[Glimmerglass]

Ah the infield -- take a look at this ...

youtube.com NBC5 Kentucky Derby Infield 2007 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DgKyghdU0w)

The passed out woman (who maybe bet on Street Sense) was klassy.

I'm not so old that I don't like to have a fun time and can drink with the best of them but deliver me from that type of scene. I sincerely hate being too close to drunken frat-esq crowds of idiots.

[animaldoc]

I've been to Churchill on Derby Day, but I was in the clubhouse as a guest of ABC Sports (once in a lifetime thing of being in the right place at the right time).

I think if you get general admission tickets, it gets you into the clubhouse, but not into the stands- have to have box seats for that. We went one time for the Breeders Cup and got box seats and were right at the turn. If you get GA tickets you can only see the race on monitors in the clubhouse.

Infield is fun, but it IS like a frat party- but I think they're trying to make it less so.

[InWhyCee Redux]

I went in 1988 and parked my car about ten blocks from CD in someone's front yard, which had been remade into a turf parking lot for the day. This was $20 (with a free paper cup of lemonade!); front yards closer to CD were more.

As for the alcoholic haze in the infield: There was a MASSIVE Dumpster full of bottles outside CD; the cops confiscated everything liquid. The locals' secret? Vodka Jell-O molds. Bourbon Jell-O molds. More bourbon Jell-O molds.... Do not wear anything too nice to the infield, and resist the urge to remove whatever you do wear. ;)