Kentucky Derby Guide
Airports
Louisville has Standiford Field Airport (SDF) located just under 3 miles from Churchill Downs. The earlier you book, the cheaper your flight will be, and flights fill up fast given the limited number of flights and carriers for this medium sized airport. The following airlines fly into Lousiville….
Bluegrass Airport (LEX) is located 71 miles away in Lexington, KY and offers cheaper alternatives for flight prices, although you will have about an hour and twenty minute drive (plus Derby traffic) ahead of you. If you are booking last minute this is the way to go unless you can afford a ticket to SDF in excess of $800.
Where to stay
I’ve stayed in a variety of hotels, ranging from your basic run of the mill to the famous Galt House in downtown Louisville. Regardless of the class of the lodging, you will be paying inflated prices, since it is Kentucky Derby weekend. Also, the more desirable hotels will require that you book at least 2 nights. These hotels typically will not let you book only, but rather you must call them directly, and they will send you a contract for the room for the desired length of stay which you must secure with a credit card.
In 2005, I stayed at the Galt House for 3 nights (about $1200) which included an open bar reception on Thursday evening, and a $100 food/beverage credit. The Galt House is quite old, but was recently renovated, so the accommodations were perfect. Aside from being a nice place to stay, the Galt House puts you right near the downtown nightlife, and more than likely you will run into dozens of celebrities who are also staying there.
If you don’t care where you stay, I would suggest booking through an online travel service such as expedia.com . If you want to stay in one of the more upscale hotels, right in the middle of the action, here are the links to the hotels where you can find their contact information….
Pre-Derby Parties and Events
If you are in town a few days before the Derby, or even just the night before the Derby, there is plenty to do…and most involve drinking heavily. If you are A list (or can pretend to be), then you’ll get the invite to the Barnstable Brown Gala. Put on by the “Double Mint Twins” Tricia Barnstable Brown and Priscilla Lee Barnstable. Or you could be like Tara Reid and attend the Barnstable Brown gala, make an ass of yourself for being too drunk (shocker), and head over to the Mint Jubilee Gala.
In 2005 I attended the Mint Jubilee Gala ($200 per plate), and had a blast. The gala is for charity, so most of your ticket is tax deductible. The gala opens with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner, and then a live band and dancing. Surprisingly, you will be able to hobnob with plenty of celebrities including many ex-jockeys. It’s a black tie event with a cash bar, so plan on spending an extra $150 or so for the event. Overall though, it’s a great time and a good way to spend the night on Derby Eve.
Tickets for the Mint Jubilee Gala can be purchased here: MINT JUBILEE GALA
If you are not into the formal seen, then head over to 4th Street Live . There are plenty of bars, and you find a bar for every age group. Also, the street is blocked off so that you can walk around outside with an open container, while a live band plays in the middle of the street.
For more information on Derby week events, check out these links:
Louisville Chamber of Commerce
Tickets
The cheapest way to get into the Derby (asides from a rich friend) is to purchase a general admission ticket. The price is $40 (cash or VISA) and available on the day of the event only. General admission will grant you access to the infield as well as the paddock area, where there are plenty of betting windows, and plenty of long lines.
The Paddock…
If you are interested in having an actual seat, it will cost you a nice chunk of change. If you are fortunate enough to purchase tickets through Churchill Downs Twin Spires Lottery, a ticket will still run you at least $73 for your Grandstand seat.
Assuming you do not own a horse, or have season tickets to Churchill Downs you have 2 options, a scalper or a ticket broker. Chances are you will run into plenty of these folks on your plane, in your hotel, and outside of Churchill Downs. Previously I have scored decent tickets the morning of the Derby outside the gate for $300 a seat and had a great view one section past the finish line.
In regards to where to sit, obviously the finish line is the best, but you won’t be getting seats there. So I would shoot for tickets as high up as possible and before or one or two sections after the finish line. Keep in mind that the further you are passed the finish line, the more of a head on view you have of the race, and the tougher it becomes to distinguish who is ahead of whom. However, if you are in the 200’s or 300’s you will have a television monitor mounted on a support beam from which you can watch the race in better view. But let’s face it; if you are paying $300-2,000 for a ticket, you want to be watching live racing and not the same feed you could see at home on your TV.
Here is the view from section 314 (left) and 214 (right)…
I have never sat in the infield, but if you plan on it, you won’t see the horses race unless you are against the fence. Just plan on bringing a cooler full of The Beast and plenty of sun block…and oh ya, a raincoat in case it’s like 2004!
Getting to the hotel from the track
If you aren’t fortunate enough to have a limo or rental car to get you back to the hotel, plan on taking a taxi, and waiting in a very, very, very, very, very, very long line. I’m not kidding, it’s worse than Disney world. So make sure you keep about 4 adult sodas in your cooler (per person) for your wait in this line, because there’s nothing worse than having your hangover kick in before you even get to the hotel.
Here are some pictures from the taxi line…
