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04-28-2011, 11:02 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 249
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Going to my first Derby! Lets hear some tips from Derby vets
Its a guys trip. 8 of us. We have seats for the Oaks, and will be doing infield for Derby. 4 of us really like to play the ponies while the others are there for the party. We plan to get our betting fix on Friday when we have seats. Saturday will be a shit show.
So lets hear some tips from some Derby vets. Like, can you bring coolers in the infield? How long before a race do you have to get in line to place a bet? How is the cell service? Should I just bet via phone? Is it impossible to park or should we cab it?
Any tips are appreciated. Thanks!
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04-28-2011, 11:38 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,829
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rico8812
Its a guys trip. 8 of us. We have seats for the Oaks, and will be doing infield for Derby. 4 of us really like to play the ponies while the others are there for the party. We plan to get our betting fix on Friday when we have seats. Saturday will be a shit show.
So lets hear some tips from some Derby vets. Like, can you bring coolers in the infield? How long before a race do you have to get in line to place a bet? How is the cell service? Should I just bet via phone? Is it impossible to park or should we cab it?
Any tips are appreciated. Thanks!
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First of all, here's a list of what you can or can't bring, very helpful for the infield: http://www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/security-information
Gates open both days at 8 am. If you want a prime infield spot on Derby day, get there early.
The prices for concessions are ridiculous, but not surprising. No worse than you'd see at a pro sports event. People try all kinds of creative ways to sneak booze in, and plenty of them succeed.
Oaks day: betting lines aren't usually too bad, as long as you don't wait until the last few minutes to bet. Every window in the place is open, so you can always find a fairly short line somewhere. That being said, if you're not handicapping off looks, I'd make most or all of my bets at once, then you have more time to soak in the atmosphere. If you're betting the Oaks/Derby double, the infield tote board will show willpays throughout the day.
I've never had cell service problems in the past 10 years. They bring in mobile cell towers to boost connectivity. Bigger problem is being able to hear since there are so many people there. Actually easier to hear on the phone in the infield where the sound isn't captured by the building. Betting by phone isn't a bad idea; my buddy did it last year both days with no problem.
Parking: best bet is probably to park either at Papa John's stadium or the Kentucky state fair grounds. Both pretty close and have shuttles. More info here: http://www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/parking-and-shuttles.
Good luck in the infield, wander around and check out the show, everybody should see it once. I cut my teeth on it in the late 70s and early 80s and wouldn't trade it for the world. Weather has been terribly wet in Kentucky lately, so let's hope it dries out some for you come May 6 and 7. Even if it doesn't rain, I'd recommend taking a plastic tarp or two to spread out; the infield will almost certainly still be damp next week. Most of all, don't forget the video and still cameras 
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04-28-2011, 11:46 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 249
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Wow. Thanks for the detailed response. Should be a great time. Can't freakin wait!
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04-29-2011, 02:43 AM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 137
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Don't drink 20 mint juleps, and stay away from the riot police when they come out of their cage on the wrangling missions. 
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04-29-2011, 04:42 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Boston+Ocala
Posts: 23,766
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by yak merchant
Don't drink 20 mint juleps, and stay away from the riot police when they come out of their cage on the wrangling missions. |
i would go one step further, don't swallow the jullip, they taste god awful!
the kentucky derby is the greatest event every year. i haven't gone in the last few years, but i am going back next year.
also as far as betting, i would handicap the races that you want to bet before you walk into the door. be ready to adjust your handicapping prior to the race for the different bias's they have there. also what i have found is that if you are any type of handicapper you can make big scores there on that day. i actually have done very betting big money to show on horses. i bet more money on afleet alex to show than what is normally in a show pool and got something like $5.00 for a ticket. that is impossible to do on most other days. the show pool had more than $10 million in it that day.
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04-29-2011, 05:53 PM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,336
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Stay out of the infield jails. They look like a very unpleasant place to spend the day. Reminded me of an old WWI bunker.
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04-29-2011, 06:30 PM
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#7
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Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 2,277
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When I was 20 something, I enjoyed my first 6 Derbies in the infield. Later, I married and found a more sane version of the Ky Derby. I actually had a much more pleasant experience as I grew older. Now, I enjoy it on television and have pleasant memories of Derbies gone by. Be safe and Enjoy your experience.
It's like the first woman you ever made love to. The memories are great! lol! 
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04-29-2011, 08:06 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,827
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Take a cab too and from the Derby, then you can enjoy plenty of beer and Mint J's. Cab route is pretty amazing.
Make your bets for the 2 races before the derby early, other wise you will get shut out. They line up to bet the derby early. You can wait to bet the derby until after they play "My Old Ky Home" nobody at window before race goes off. you could shoot a gun and not hit anybody.
__________________
Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future.
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04-30-2011, 02:42 AM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 457
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Don't get drunk. Just enjoy.
Beginners luck? Yes.
First year I went was 1982......put $20 win on Royal Roberto and Gato Del Sol.
Infield was 'girls gone wild'. 
Woo Hoo!
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04-30-2011, 02:46 AM
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#10
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Just another Facist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Now in Houston
Posts: 52,814
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Bruddah
It's like the first woman you ever made love to. The memories are great! lol! |
Yep, it only lasts about 2 minutes for the entire event
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04-30-2011, 03:31 AM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,336
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by JustRalph
Yep, it only lasts about 2 minutes for the entire event
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2 minutes? Something had to have distracted you. LOL
Last edited by Bettowin; 04-30-2011 at 03:32 AM.
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04-30-2011, 05:58 AM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cincinnati,Ohio
Posts: 5,289
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I've never been Rico,but I would listen to some on here.Don't just get drunk.Savor the moment and party later.But hey,make sure you come back to this thread and relate your day's experiences.
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04-30-2011, 07:27 AM
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#13
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Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,639
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by JustRalph
Yep, it only lasts about 2 minutes for the entire event
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All time classic line! 
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04-30-2011, 01:33 PM
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#14
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Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 2,277
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by JustRalph
Yep, it only lasts about 2 minutes for the entire event
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That's true, but the foreplay leading to the main event is pretty awsome as well. (lol) 
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04-30-2011, 06:01 PM
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 457
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Make sure you know where your wallet is.
Jam it in a front pocket near the one-eyed salamander..........he'll protect it.
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