Let’s go through some things that you need to know before traveling to watch the Kentucky Derby.
With the biggest horse race less than a month away, some of the lucky people who managed to get a ticket on the Kentucky Derby must get prepared for the big event. If you are new to the horse racing world and this is your first horse race attendance, you need to know some things before you go to the race.
First of all, with the Kentucky Derby being so popular, you need to understand that there is a high attendance. In fact, the Kentucky Derby has one of the wildest crowds in the horse racing calendar, with around 150.000 people traveling to Kentucky to watch the fastest horses on the planet. No wonder why Forbes described the Kentucky Derby as one of the “Greatest Bucket-list Sporting Events” that everyone should attend in their lifetime.
However, the main event of the race isn’t the only thing you need to worry about. The Kentucky Derby is the most prestigious event, where fashion, style, and betting, also play an important role. For this last part, you can simply check the Kentucky Derby expert picks by TwinSpires, because they know their stuff.
With that said, let’s go through some things that you need to know before traveling to watch the Kentucky Derby.
Dress the part
Fashion has always been an important factor in horse racing, especially at big events like the Kentucky Derby. With that said, it doesn’t need to be complicated or anything spectacular. You can show up looking elegant and smart dressed, or go for something braver if you want to stand out.
Ladies usually go with simple dresses with a solid bright color or any form of pattern (usually floral). However, the biggest game-changer in women’s outfits is the accessories. In order to enter the spirit of the race, most women wear hats, bags, and even gloves that bring their outfits to another level.
On the other hand, the options are far simpler for men. Most men attend the Kentucky Derby wearing a classic suit or blazer with a tie. However, you should not be afraid to get creative. Try to wear bold patterns or a vibrant color blazer.
It’s not all about the race
Most people don’t know that the Kentucky Derby is a part of multi-race multi-day event. In other words, the festival vibe in Louisville is very impressive with many horse-racing activities, dinners, and gatherings before the main event.
So, if you want to experience the real horse racing magic, it is best if you turn up a few days earlier. The official Kentucky Derby lineup includes three days of racing: The Thurby, which is an all-day event on Thursday tailored for the local crowd, as well as the Oaks Day on Friday for fillies races, the main event the Derby on Saturday.
Make your booking on an official website
Since we are talking about very popular horse racing events, scams are inevitable. Just so you stay protected, make sure to make your booking only on the Kentucky Derby official website. You also might run into many people who sell tickets at the gates of Churchill Downs, which can be really expensive and also fake.
Seats don’t matter that much
When it comes to booking a seat, different areas have different prices. If you are not too concerned about the people that surround you, and you are there just to watch the derby, then choosing any seat will be good enough since all of them will provide you with a view of the finish line.
You don’t have to analyze the prize, location, type of seat and etc. for hours before you make your booking.
Consider tickets that include food and drink
The Derby is an all-day horse racing event, which means that you’ll spend many hours on the racetrack. Since the food can be expensive to buy at the derby, the best option is to choose tickets that include food or drink.
The price difference isn’t significant, especially if you consider what you are getting. Traditionally, you’ll receive a catered buffet lunch each day, as well as unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks. With that said, these tickets don’t give you access to every food or drink and you might need to pay more for champagne, or Mint Juleps.
