A friend had a spot open up on a trip to this year's Derby. I can get there pretty cheap.

Has anyone been? Is it one of those things you need to do once in your life?

A little background: I'm a big sports fan, but can't say I'm into horse racing. I do enjoy alcoholic beverages, as well as looking at beautiful babies. Is the Derby right for me?

you should go definitely one of the top U.S. sporting events

Go! You won't regret it! Unless of course you do something exceptionally crazy (& you're not in the infield) and get arrested...but in my recollection it takes quite a bit for that to happen.

It is a blast. Definitely go.

Going to the Kentucky Derby and wearing a big hat is on my bucket list. I have been to Churchill Downs before for racing but not on Derby Day. The museum next to the park is a lot better than I expected so I recommend that.

Flying out tomorrow. Weather looks a little wet, but looking forward to it. Glad to hear everyone had a good time.

Yeah, I've been.

Two years ago I went and it was the coolest ever. Everyone was buying me drinks, inviting me to their suites. I was treated like f'n royalty.

Last year I went and some people were still really cool, but a lot of people there started being real jerks. Just talking trash. Did not understand it.

I have received many calls this year advising me not to come back. Not sure what is up.



Signed -
Billy Gillispie

So I just want to know if you went and what you thought?

So how was it? Post trip details when you get the chance. How you got tickets, what to do before, during and after derby?

I'm trying to convince my buddies to look at a trip to watch the derby possibly next year. Thanks.

Wow! Amazing race.

Overall I'm really glad I went. It's not something I have to do every year, but I think it's something a big sports fan should do at least once.

I flew into Nashville Thursday night and drove in the driving rain to Louisville. Got in too late to do anything that night.

Friday I went to Churchill Downs for the races (primary one being the Oaks). I sat in the infield, and paid to go in the infield club. It was $50 for infield club tickets on Friday. The infield was pretty wild, lots of drunks, some live music, a little naughtiness. This was on Friday as well. However, you can't see squat of the racing from the infield. Tried analyzing the horses and became frustrated, ended up betting the horse with the best "stripper" name and started doing better.

Friday night went out to the Bardstown Road area. Lots of bars/clubs, most were packed. Good times, also heard 4th Street Live is great to go as well, but didn't make it. I met a guy at a bar that had extra bleacher seats for Derby day. The tickets looked legit. The tickets were $75, snatched them up. I didn't see hardly any scalpers at all near the track. I was told that 4th Street Live should have some on Friday night. Other than stubhub, or similar sites, I think its fairly tough to find bleacher seats.

Saturday was at the Derby all day. They actually run about 15 races both days. Stripper names kept losing, so tried to go back to analyzing. Lost 2 trifectas by less than 3 feet. Bad beat.

If you go, I would do exactly what we did as far as seating. The infield was great Friday, and glad I witnessed it. Saturday in the bleachers was 1000X better. The infield looked so packed you couldn't move. Some friends went down, said they spent the entire time dodging drunks, tripping over people passed out, and watching out for puke piles. I preferred being in the stands, seeing all the fancy dresses/hats/suits. Also it's great actually seeing the horses.

The actual Derby race was phenomenal. A buzz comes over the track. I was sitting right about where Mine That Bird took off down the backstretch and I knew instantly it was over as soon as I saw him dive inside. It was literally like the rest of the field was standing still. Unbelievable. The last 1/4 mile the hair stood up on my neck. I don't think it was because of how I was feeling, I think the air was just energized. Weird feeling.

Saturday night went out again to Bardstown.

Sunday got up and drove to the Maker's Mark distillery. Great tour there, even though I'm not a huge bourbon fan. Then went to Nashville and hung out on music row until the flight.

I have a feeling I will be back someday. Let me know of any questions.

Nice. I'm glad you went. I have to say I'm a little partial to the Derby since I grew up about 45 miles south (around Fort Knox). It's just not the same watching it on tv...

Thanks for the update! Lots of good info.

What was the attire like during the Friday races? Did you have to dress up nicer on Sat. when you sat in the bleachers? People always looked dressed up in the main stands when they pan the cameras around on tv. I'm guessing those are probably the high rollers and not the general public.

I sat on the infield Friday. The dress there ranged from shorts/beaterT to suits and dresses. I didn't feel out of place in my polo shirt and jeans.

On Saturday in the bleachers, it was also a mixed bag. However, there were more of the dressier folks for sure. I didn't wear a suit but nicer shirt and pants. It was fine. A regular suit isn't what I mean for the guys. Most had derby special suits, like pastels, etc... The goofy plaid golf pants seemed to be a big hit. Ladies wore nice sundresses and a lot had hats. Not all the hats were crazy, some understated and classy ones were nice.

As far as sitting on the infield, you can bring a cooler in with food/water/soda. No alchohol allowed, they search your pockets and pat you down. People seemed pretty innovative though, hollowing out watermelons, sandwich buns, mini bottles in their undies, that sort of thing.

Oh something else to do in Louisville around the race is visit the Louisville Slugger factory. Unfortunately, we planned on going Sunday but they aren't producing bats that day. You can still tour, just won't see the factory running. I would go on Friday in the morning, then head to the Oaks.