Kentucky Derby: afraid to ask

[20kbrew]

Time to go! Would appreciate suggestions. Went to the Bluegrass the
year Street Sense won the Derby and it was awesome. A must. The Woodford
Distillary was a terrific add on. Like to do a direct hit on it without a lot of fluff. Looking like \"The Most Expensive 2 Minutes in Sports\" so far!
Thanks

[Wrongly]

Do doubt it has gotten expensive.  Hotels want a 3 night stay so if you want to cut the price a bit, look to stay in Shepardsville, KY or Jeffersonville, IN.  Try to use your hotel points.  Horseshoe casino is own by Harrah\'s, maybe your player card would help reduce the $500 a night.  

FYI, some hotels have contracts for people to sign in advance with 50% payment on a particular date, many will appear sold out on line but may have rooms from non payment (bad credit numbers).  So call the hotels direct, some will have tickets at a additional fee.

Tickets are sold out and all season boxes appear to be gone as well.  Try buying tickets on the day of the race, they will be less expensive than buying them on the internet, but you probably won\'t get a particular section.  FYI, many people have trouble unloading their Oaks tickets.  You can find box seats for $100 and if the weather is slight bad (seems to rain on Oaks) you might get good seats for half that.  Granted it\'s a gamble.

Best of luck and hope you make it here to the Ville.

[Marlin]

Last time I attended the Derby, I finally figured it out.  fly in & out, first flight that lands on Saturday morning in Louisville & last flight out that evening.  That avoids hotels 80 miles away & three night minimum stays @ a Rapist rates.  

If you want local Louisville trash experience, stop by the Quarter Pole bar near the track.  The Derby is a great event, if you can afford, purchase seats anywhere, but definitely take a stroll in the infield.  You must place your bets one hour early for many races or you will be shut out, long lines.

I\'m a Living Room Downs guy now, attended all the big ones several times, but he most fun is @ Old Hilltop in the infield, that is better than the Derby infield.

[Sandreadis]

Don\'t go to the Derby without attending the Oaks.My favorite seat for the money is the 3rd floor grandstand,box seats not bench.  Sections 323-325. You must have elevated seats to watch the races.You get an armband for this section and the lines aren\'t too bad. You can get Oak\'s tix in this section for around $150 each.Row\'s D and higher are under cover.  
  Agree that if you don\'t mind waiting until Derby Day, you can find better seats at better prices .Weather plays a big part in Derby Week pricing.

Blanket finish in the 07 Bluegrass. Had a few bucks on Domican\'s nose at 8 or 9/1 as I recall.

[20kbrew]

Wow, all your comments are really going to help. Thank you
so much! In the \"things happen for a reason\" dept, I\'m
going to book it with the TG Gulfstream Analysis- Offlee Fast/Cowdray
Park exacta proceeds before they find another home!
All the best!

[harrahs8325]

I went twice, Funny Cide and Smarty Jones.  This was before it got truly expensive.  Flew into Cincy then drove to KY, saved a few bucks this way.  Best bet for tickets is to buy on Oaks and Derby morning, people were selling right in our hotel lobby.  It\'s something every true horse racing lover needs to do at least once.