The Kentucky Derby is one of the grandest sporting events in all of North America, and as such, many people travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to attend the race in person. True horse racing fans view the sojourn to Churchill Downs as somewhat of a pilgrimage; a journey to solidify one’s belief in the majesty of the Thoroughbred.
However fantastic the experience itself may be, however, there are of course some practical concerns that arise when planning, as with any vacation centered around a large-scale activity. Any oversight in planning could cause a major interruption to your celebration. Here are some issues you should expect to address when planning for your trip to the Kentucky Derby.
Whether you are traveling to Churchill Downs or planning to watch the Derby from home, you can follow the live odds for the 2023 Kentucky Derby here: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/
Account For Traffic
Just as you should not plan to drive to the location of the Super Bowl or the Olympic Games, you should not plan to drive yourself to Churchill Downs on Derby weekend. The traffic is gridlocked for most of Derby Day as well as Oaks Day (the day before the Derby). Parking is also scarce, with private citizens charging a premium to use their land as parking spaces miles away from the track itself.
Luckily, though, the city of Louisville has come to anticipate this crush of tourists, and there are many options available for public transit. In addition to city transportation, most hotels offer shuttle service to and from Churchill Downs during Derby weekend. There are several types of taxi and ride sharing services that are specially set aside for this purpose on the first weekend in May.
Bring Your Walking Shoes
Once you have reached the track, your journey has not ended. Depending on where your tickets send you, it may have just begun.
The grandstand envelops the length of the Churchill Downs home stretch, which is the longest stretch of any racetrack in North America- and your seat number may mean that you are walking the entire span of it. The step count will, of course, increase if you choose to admire the horses in the walking ring, visit the Kentucky Derby Museum, or make your way to a betting window.
If you are in the infield, you may not have to walk as far to get to your destination, but you also will not have your own designated seat and will likely still be moving around a lot. Although fashion is of great importance at the Kentucky Derby, footwear is one area in which you will want to consider comfort and utility over style.
Plan Your Consumption
Mint juleps and the Kentucky Derby go hand in hand, but responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages is crucial for everyone’s safety. Public drunkenness is not only a nuisance, but can be extremely dangerous around animals as highly strung as racehorses. In addition, the Kentucky Derby is in late spring, meaning temperatures and humidity are rising. If you choose to drink alcohol, it would be wise to drink water alongside it to avoid dehydration.
Along a similar line of thought, you will want to carefully plan your bets when creating your Kentucky Derby budget. Take the time to research the horses in the field, including their past performances and likely pace projections. If you want to make exotic wagers, use a betting calculator to keep track of your costs and calculate potential payouts. Above all, never bet any money that you cannot afford to lose.
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