Hofstra

I have never been to the Kentucky Derby. How much are the tickets and what is the differential in price between the infield and the grandstand? Is it too late to get good seats? As you can see, I'm not too familiar with the racing scene but I think I would like to see this well-publicized sporting event.

SAnParis

You will pay out the ying-yang for anything but infield at this point. (or probably any point unless you know somebody). I've been on the ticket list for over 15 years & still only get infield grandstand tix.

BeachBoi

Hofstra....The Queen will be there tooo...And she's never been either.Maybe you can sit with her and share ideas!!

LLindaC

C'mon down! Just remember, you only curtsy to the queen if you are British. Heck, yes, it's expensive. Those of us in Louisville have a wide range of opinions about it. Most of us go to the Oaks the day before and go to parties on DDay. The infield is a freaking human zoo and depending on the weather, can be a mixed bag. You can also enjoy the paddock area- many people only do that. At this point, you will have to pay a huge price for a seat...and good luck finding a room! Expect to pay a huge markup for lodging and food around the city. But it IS a blast!!!

SAnParis

If you are flying, fly into (& stay) near the Cincinnati Airport. It is only about an hour drive but you will only have to pay normal hotel rates. As many folks who reside (or have resided in) Louisville, I typically go to the Oaks. (I actually have seats on the stretch for that) & sell my Derby tix although I have been to 3 or 4 Derbys as well.

jbass

I would guess it's too late to get a hotel within proximity. Personally, I wouldn't buy infield tickets -- you'll be lucky to see the jockey's heads if you're standing. Also, it's basically a big beer feast - although that obviously appeals to lots of people. I've purchased tickets through a ticket broker.

magnumholmes

I was at the Derby for the only time a coupe of years ago and loved every minute of it.

I stayed about 50 miles from Louisville in Indiana for regular rates and drove to the Kentucky State Fairgrounds the day of the Derby. I took the shuttle bus to Churchill Downs early that morning and stayed until the end.

I walked up and purchased my infield ticket (If I remember right it was $40) and it was worth every penny, although seeing the race itself is very difficult. But they have numerous big-screen TVs hanging around that you can monitor what's happening.

I will go back in the near future.

As for tickets in the grandstand-- at this point, you will pay out the wazoo. Just settle for infield tickets and you will enjoy yourself. I spent most of my time walking around just watching the mass of people do anything you could imagine.

I think there were 156,000 there that day. It was the second-most to attend the event at that time.

NorthwestMale

... and Magnum did such a good job researching at Fodors before he went!

lol


To Hofstra...

At this point the best "plan" to have would be to drive into downtown Louisville area eaaaaarly on the morning of the race, park at the fairgrounds, and take the shuttle to the track. I think that general admission is $45 these days, if not a tiny bit more.

That entitles you to the infield or the areas beneath the grandstand.

The time between races is considerable, so you have time for long betting lines, and can even walk from the infield to the grandstand and paddock, to see the horses from a short distance.

Without an assigned seat, you should travel light. You can find plenty of areas under cover if it is rainy or considerably hot.

Furthermore, there are some spots to sit and rest in between races, if the hubbub is getting to you.

Have fun.

mrwunrfl

I went to the Derby last year and paid around $425 for a ticket in section 222. It was absolutely a blast. Late in the day they let people from the infield come to the grandstand side. It looked like an insane asylum had been let out.

If you want to go to the races and see Queen Elizabeth then you should go to Royal Ascot. Get a seat in the Royal Enclosure. I did this in 1995. The queen, queen mum, and Prince P came each of the four days. It is required for gentlement (including me) to wear a morning coat and top hat.

mrwunrfl

like an insane asylum, or like Night of the Living Dead except that the people were alive - crazed and dazed.

mrwunrfl

I got the ticket on ebay. Prices at the ticket broker websites were much higher.

don512

Since you are not too familiar with the horse racing scene, let me state that the Kentucky Derby (at least from a track standpoint) is not something that you so much see as experience. The only part of the race you actually see, even from the grandstand is the run down the stretch. Most of the race even in the stands can be watched on big screen TVs (billboard size)that are set up around the track. And even the view from the grandstand is very limited in what you can see down the stretch, because everybody around you is standing. But this is not to say thet going is not a lot of fun. I have been to the Derby maybe a half of a dozen times or so, but only once to the infield, and always had a great time. But Derby Day and even Oaks Day are not actually days where you go to the track to enjoy the horseracing. So if you are looking for a more leisurely type of partying the stands are the place. For more of a wild picnic type all out party the infield is the place. And since security has heightened since 9/11, you can no longer take coolers into the track, and alcohol was never allowed, although there alway seemed an abundance somehow snuck in. But you can buy coolers, ice, food and beverages at a tent that is set up in the infield. And alcoholic beverages can be bought throughout the track, both outside and inside. So you can just go and have fun no matter which way you chose.

jbass

Hofstra - find the lyrics to "My Old Kentucky Home" so you can sing along with that!