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Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
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Author:  Kirkwood [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:51 am ]
Post subject:  Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
Buddy since we were yutes in elementary school is getting married. He's the 1st in circle childhood or college buddies getting hitched. So this is 1st go-around in bachelor party planning. Participants will be 6 guys one year out of school so money is pretty tight.

We wanted to take a weekend road trip somewhere. After kicking around ideas the favorite choice became an RV trip to Kentucky Derby. So has anyone ever been to the Derby? Is going just one of the "gotta try it once" trips or legitimately a fun experience? Any help would be much appreciated.
Author:  good dolphin [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
My friends, who are not much for horse racing, go every few years and love it.

The area between Indianapolis and Louisville is filled with people who could have stood in with no makeup or costume at the Creature Cantina.
Author:  pittmike [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
I think Mac said the infield was insane in a good perverted way. Maybe the Indy 500?
Author:  cluv8484 [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
Go, it's a blast.....about 10 of us went back in 2009, we were all about 23-24 year's old and it was good times...

Some tips:
-Drive down early on Friday, the rides not bad....
-Hit up the Infield, best talent around and just partying all over the joint.
-For at LEAST one of the races, stand right along the fence to feel the speed and fury of the actual horses racing, pretty impressive...
-Come nighttime, 4TH STREET LIVE is where you'll want to be....it's like giant complex of bars and restaurants in an open air mall...don't buy any table/bottle service, not necessary and overpriced (no way bottles at Louisville should be the same prices as Vegas/Chicago)....lots of action and pretty easy to find girls looking to party.
-There are a good number of strip joints short cab distance from the track, just try to avoid the ones on the outskirts of town. We saw Rodman at a club one of the nights admiring the ladies....
-MAKE SURE you watch the idiots running across the top of the porta potties get pelted with everything from chairs to full beer cans rifled at their heads. Pure entertainment....

Overall, a relatively cheap trip that's a good time, more relaxed and college feeling than going to Vegas or something more high end.....enjoy man
Author:  Apologist [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
cluv8484 wrote:
Go, it's a blast.....about 10 of us went back in 2009, we were all about 23-24 year's old and it was good times...

Some tips:
-Drive down early on Friday, the rides not bad....
-Hit up the Infield, best talent around and just partying all over the joint.
-For at LEAST one of the races, stand right along the fence to feel the speed and fury of the actual horses racing, pretty impressive...
-Come nighttime, 4TH STREET LIVE is where you'll want to be....it's like giant complex of bars and restaurants in an open air mall...don't buy any table/bottle service, not necessary and overpriced (no way bottles at Louisville should be the same prices as Vegas/Chicago)....lots of action and pretty easy to find girls looking to party.
-There are a good number of strip joints short cab distance from the track, just try to avoid the ones on the outskirts of town. We saw Rodman at a club one of the nights admiring the ladies....
-MAKE SURE you watch the idiots running across the top of the porta potties get pelted with everything from chairs to full beer cans rifled at their heads. Pure entertainment....

Overall, a relatively cheap trip that's a good time, more relaxed and college feeling than going to Vegas or something more high end.....enjoy man


:cheers:
Author:  Kirkwood [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 1:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
Thanks cluv8484, very very helpful. Did your group drive down there and stay at a hotel? Tent camping? RV down there?

I'm guessing getting a hotel room would be expensive and make RV rental cost easier to swallow.
Author:  Telegram Sam [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 1:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
Kirkwood wrote:
Thanks cluv8484, very very helpful.

The tip about avoiding strip clubs on the outskirts of LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY sure could come in handy.
Author:  Rod [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 1:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
Kirkwood wrote:
Thanks cluv8484, very very helpful. Did your group drive down there and stay at a hotel? Tent camping? RV down there?

I'm guessing getting a hotel room would be expensive and make RV rental cost easier to swallow.



It will be difficult to find a room unless you book it very early. I've stayed in Scottsburg, Indiana and driven in Saturday morning.
Author:  newper [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 2:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
Joe Orr Road Rod wrote:
It will be difficult to find a room unless you book it very early. I've stayed in Scottsburg, Indiana and driven in Saturday morning.


That is true -- they also will often make you book multiple nights. It is similar to a NASCAR track... the hotel costs $70 a night until it is race day and then it is $325.

I've been twice.. 2003 and 2004. Done the infield both times, which if you aren't a big racing fan is definitely the place to be. You don't need to get tickets ahead of time, it won't fill up. It is an interesting mix of families and drunkards. Mostly drunkards. A big party atmosphere in there.

I think that was the first place I ever saw the aluminum Bud Light bottle.
Author:  cluv8484 [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
Glad to help, we stayed in a couple hotel rooms in a Holiday Inn Express right across the river, like 10 min cab ride from downtown. I had hotel.com reward nights, so we were able to minimize the hotel cost big time....just checked out of curiosity, looks like your gonna pay a minimum of $150-200/night. Figure maybe a couple dudes land a night in a girls bed, you may be able to squeeze into 1 spot with airmatresses, etc....
Author:  Apologist [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 5:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
I got friends in the 'ville.

I think one year, we put up a tent next to a swimming pool on someone's lawn. The Derby is a real shitshow all over town, in the best way... :lol:
Author:  Seacrest [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
good dolphin wrote:
My friends, who are not much for horse racing, go every few years and love it.

The area between Indianapolis and Louisville is filled with people who could have stood in with no makeup or costume at the Creature Cantina.


You should see the area between Louisville and Bowling Green. Yikes.
Author:  Redneckmommy [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
We want to go, but HRH needs to be older. We have done the back lot tour, thinking that is a no go that weekend. But if you can ever get down there on a non race day it is worth it
Author:  Colonel Angus [ Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
http://english138.web.unc.edu/files/2011/08/The-Kentucky-Derby-is-Decadent-and-Depraved.pdf
Author:  Kirkwood [ Tue Apr 30, 2013 12:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
Derby vets, a group of 6 are RV-ing down Friday morning and grabbing a camping spots across the river. So we'll have a lot of free time until Saturday. Have a few questions:

-Friday they are selling a Kentucky Oaks General Admission ticket? We're not big horse racing guys by any means but for $25 is this worth going to see?
-How would you navigate Derby weekend itself as in:
-How early should we head over to the infield?
-Can we tailgate the Derby?
-How long do you actually stay at the track? Is it an all-day affair?
-Should we avoid the food there and eat before and bring in our own stuff?
-What are alcohol prices like inside the park?
Author:  Hank Scorpio [ Tue Apr 30, 2013 2:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
Seacrest wrote:
good dolphin wrote:
My friends, who are not much for horse racing, go every few years and love it.

The area between Indianapolis and Louisville is filled with people who could have stood in with no makeup or costume at the Creature Cantina.


You should see the area between Louisville and Bowling Green. Yikes.


Tattle Tales?
Author:  newper [ Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
Kirkwood wrote:
-Friday they are selling a Kentucky Oaks General Admission ticket? We're not big horse racing guys by any means but for $25 is this worth going to see?

I've not been to the Oaks, but it is probably worth going if you are interested in seeing what the track is like without so many people in attendance. Since you all aren't that into racing, I'd probably say skip it and do some other stuff in town

Quote:
-How early should we head over to the infield?


http://www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/security-information
Gates open at 8, but the infield never truly fills up per se. It gets pretty packed out along the rail early though, so if you really want to be on the rail, you probably need to get over as one of the first people. If not, you'll still have plenty of room to create a base.

Quote:
-Can we tailgate the Derby?

Sort of. You can bring food items in clear ziploc baggies, but you can't bring in any cans or bottles. Good news is that there is some awesome food in the infield... they let other companies come in that day and there'll be like BBQ stands, some burgers and dogs, etc. Jack Daniels and those other bourbon guys come in and have a bunch of drinks, and there's always Bud and such. The line for the mint juleps is usually pretty short because they taste so god awful, but if you want a souvenir glass, you should grab one before you leave.
Quote:
How long do you actually stay at the track? Is it an all-day affair?

Yes... it goes basically the whole day. If you get there at 9:30, you'll be there until at least the end of the Derby which is 6:30ish. Definitely a smart move to put on some sunscreen because there are no shadows to hide behind in the infield. Basically, you determine how long you'll be there by planning on being there until at least 6:30 because you aren't going to leave before the actual Derby, I'd imagine.
Quote:
-Should we avoid the food there and eat before and bring in our own stuff?
I thought their food was pretty good... this is a once a year thing, so you might as well splurge.
Quote:
-What are alcohol prices like inside the park?

Normal crazy prices... I think they are a bit cheaper than a ballpark, but I'd guess $6 or so a beer. You can always sneak in whiskey packets.
Author:  Colonel Angus [ Tue Apr 30, 2013 6:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
I didn't know this was an old thread. I was about to post the same thing I posted back in January. I don't know if that's sad or pathetic. #OldJokesNeverDieTheyJustGetRetoldOverAndOver
Author:  Redneckmommy [ Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
Been to the track a few times to see it, but not the race. We want to take HRH once for either that or the Breeders cup.
Author:  Kirkwood [ Wed May 01, 2013 12:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Kentucky Derby - Ever been?
Thanks newper, your answers are much appreciated.
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