Postby JimbleBrimble » Tue Aug 30, 2005 8:35 pm
[quote="haleymg"]To think I complained about having to pay 20 dollars CAD fpr reserving spots for the Canadian Derby. I would say save up and make it out here next year for that. It would probably be cheaper.lol. 35 dollars for the v.i.p tent. Heck could probably get you signed in and it would be free.
Haley[/quote]
Ha ha @ the Canadian Derby. I once went to it and had a table for four @ $80 Cdn (back when the exchange rate was far more favorable to those with U.S. dollars).
The Kentucky Derby is in another galaxy from that.
My thoughts for the person contemplating the Derby... if you're solo, then the infield throng is probably worth the experience. And if you're dead set on going to the derby and trying to buy three seats together from scalpers, then it IS probably worth taking a chance, getting there, and knowing you can fall back on the $40 general admission/infield/bottom-of-grandstand standing room tickets.
A reasonable place to watch the Derby, in that case, is at the middle of the far turn, in the infield, with huge jumbo-tron screens mounted above the backstretch for keeping your eye on most of the race(s). Then you can see them gearing up for their stretch drives as they pass you on the turn. You wouldn't see too much live action from such a spot, and most of the races wouldn't be visible directly, at all, as you wandered around.
BUT if you trek to Louisville hoping for a reasonable experience, you're more likely to have one if you're willing to tryyyyyyyyy for the tickets purchased outside ON Derby day, and then just go "general admission" if you don't succeed at a price you can afford.
Having (travel agents/groups) do all the work is what runs up your costs.
You CAN get into the Derby even if you didn't buy tickets before leaving home.
Good luck.
. Parking is tough, you will pay $20+ for someone's yard near the track. There are collection points around the city where you can park and then the bus takes you to the track ($20+) General admission (I think it was $30 last year) gets you into the paddock. Period. You can see the horses get saddled and watch the race on the big screen in the paddock... there are loads of food spots and tvs and stuff but it is SRO. My vet usually has some seats for sale (the ones she had last year I think were $150 each). I go to the backside to a trainer's barn for a cookout and party.
