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About The Kentucky Derby
Sports institutions don't get much more classic than The Kentucky Derby, one of the oldest and most popular sporting events in the world. Crowds well in excess of 150,000 turn out every year on the first Saturday in May to watch this thoroughbred stakes race, taking part in a piece of American history.
Lovers of the racing, the excitement, and the pageantry have been turning out to see The Kentucky Derby every year since 1875. That's when Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. (grandson of legendary explorer William Clark) first brought the finest horses around to race at a new track in Louisville, Kentucky, that would later be dubbed Churchill Downs.
Ever since then, no matter what else was going on in the country — The Great Depression, World War I, World War II, or any other calamity — The Kentucky Derby went on, an irreplaceable part of the fabric of American life. Over the years, an entire culture has grown up around the race affectionately known as The Run for the Roses. Racegoers enjoy traditional mint juleps and burgoo stew to the playing of "My Old Kentucky Home," while the ladies show off lavish derby hats.
There's no thrill quite like the one that happens when you're watching world-class horses and jockeys work their way across the track on what has come to be widely known as "the most exciting two minutes in sports."
Naturally, the Derby tradition is rich with legendary jockeys — including record-breakers like Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack — and historic horses like Old Rosebud, Whirlaway, and Secretariat. More contemporary winners like Mike E. Smith on Justify and Victor Espinoza on American Pharoah carry the torch forward, bringing the best of horse racing to one of the world's most fabulously fun athletic events year after year.
Once again Churchill downs has raised the price for the infield tickets. But they’ve also added more infield bleacher seats and no longer allow paddock access, so it’s even less value! At least the food and drinks are incredibly overpriced and there are lines for literally everything! Sure you might have fun, but Churchill downs really tries their best to make it awful
Food ran out before the end of the event and the lines to wait were terrible.
As most events food & drinks way too expensive. Cost to get infield tickets were way too costly. Did not like that they only had light beer, no regular beer. Sat infield & was disappointed that this year they blocked off getting into the paddock. Exiting the infield was horrible!!! Getting so many people through the tunnel was a stampede waiting to happen-absolutely horrible. They really should address getting people out safely. It was fun to have gone-bucket list item. I enjoyed watching the races on the big screen (couldn't see the track very well but did get a glimpse as the horses ran by). It was great to be there to witness the late entry long shot win! Historical moment to see. I'm not sure if i will go back or not but will see.
Been going to the Derby for over 40 Years and this year was the best. Had no trouble getting in with the mobile tickets and got a great spot to sit in the infield. Even had some money on the long shot winner !
You will be directed to an outside festive grounds area for everything is blocked off Not even peeks through the fence. You will ONLY be able to watch the race on a giant screen meanwhile you'll be offered $17 drinks and expensive fair food. In my opinion if you can afford to sit in the seats don't go.
Did not realize that the time on the ticket was only for one race. Would have loved to be there for the entire racing program. Very hard to get out of the venue afterwards. It was an adventure but probably will not do again
Expect to wait in lines all day with drunk college students stumbling in to you for the duration of the event. Expect $15 domestic beers. What you see on TV is not the infield. If you get infield tickets, it is not a posh, upscale event; it’s a frat party.
I would give ZERO stars if I could. We had cheap admission and apparently that doesn’t entitle you to basic human needs like a restroom without a mountain of waste spilling out over the top of the seat. Trash cans over full and waste everywhere! So gross we didn’t even stay a full hour before leaving! Will be tho back
Was really disappointed in the changes this year. You weren’t able to get to the paddock from the infield. You also didn’t get the glass collector cups with your mint juleps.
I would definitely say to purchase seats or a box. Don’t buy lawn seats. It was a horrible experience.use in closed and other things roped off. People drink and falling everywhere. Wouldn’t recommend it.
It was a dream! We had the full Kentucky derby experience and we’re looking forward to returning as a yearly tradition! So amazing
In the infield you spend all day in line. 1 hour in line at the portapotties, 20 minutes in line to bet, 45 minutes in line to order food then another 45 minutes till the food is ready, and an hour in line to get a drink. If you want to spend your whole day in line this is the event for you. I won’t be back.
My 6th year of going to the derby and by far worse. We normally are there when gates open and find parking across from GA entrance. This year to find two 8 foot fences blocking the road. Having now to walk 3/4 mile to cross the road and go back on the other side to enter. Then when entering to find out that they have taken a third of the infield to add private seating and suites, while also taking half of the betting stations. Try putting 100,00 people in 2/3rds the place and half of the betting stations. The electronic stations they brought in no one could figure out how to use them. After barely getting my bet in for the 6th race. I became so frustrated and left. Drove 2 hours to Anderson IN to the track there to watch and bet on Derby there.
The event was great! A bit overcrowded with drunk college kids but everyone has been couped up for so long I get it. My major complaint was them denying access to travel between the infield and the paddock/entrance area really was upsetting. During purchasing of the tickets there was never any indication that I seen about upgrading of tickets for separate areas. The merchandise tents were very sparse on items. There also were no vendors selling any kind of sweet treats in the infield. Please consider these changes
One of the greatest experiences of my life! A must see. A bit of advice, don’t spend a lot of time researching a potential winner…you may be disappointed.
Poorly organized. Extremely expensive. 15-17$ watered down alcoholic beverages.
Such a fun weekend at the track. Churchill downs never disappoints!!
Well where to start other than the State of Kentucky should be embarrassed!! All Drinks, $10 Cheap Bear, $12 Claws, and little food and 3 ATMS, and not enough bathrooms or garbage cans for the trash. Then we can talk about dress code, and I had GA tickets, I could not have been more disappointed in the ability to follow their dress code. People dress like dirt bags were allowed in and why are the shrubs allowed to grow so high? It would have been more pleasant if these people knew how to make the experience better. Food was like non existent and it was about pumping the cheap beet and retarded pricing! WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THE DERBY TO ANYONE!
What an AMAZING time we had!!! VERY exciting !! and ENCOURAGING time to be around people dressing so FANCY and FUN!!! SO MUCH FUN FUN FUN!!!!! recommend ALL people experience it at least once in their lives!!!
No umbrellas allowed in the venue. Juleps $15. No seating available in the concourse area. If you have a GA ticket expect to stand the entire day. Uber/Lyft drop off located at the football stadium. Cheers.
