How to Get Tickets to a Triple Crown Race

In thoroughbred horse racing, the Triple Crown consists of The Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. If you're a racing fan, there's nothing quite like the experience of seeing a Triple Crown event from a luxury box, in a grandstand seat or among the masses in the infield. Many people find tickets up to a year in advance, but you may be able to get lucky if you hit the ticket booth early on race day.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Hit the first Triple Crown event, the Kentucky Derby, and pick up reasonably priced general admission tickets. You can't buy tickets online so you'll need to get to the ticket gate as early as 6:30 a.m. If you get infield tickets, expect to be joined by up to 75,000 fans. There are also a limited amount of general admission tickets for the area behind the stands and the paddock area.
2. Head to the Pimlico racetrack just outside of Baltimore, Maryland for the second race of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, which begins in mid-May. If you want the best tickets you need to get in the line before the gates open at 8:30 a.m.
3. Get in line and pick up general admission tickets to the final Triple Crown event, the Belmont Stakes, in Elmont, New York in June. Belmont Park admits thousands of spectators on race day in the Grandstand, Backyard and track side areas.
4. Shop from a reputable ticket broker for prime seats to Triple Crown events. Expect to pay between four and ten times the face value of tickets when you buy them from brokers online.
5. Roll the dice and take your chances on winning the ticket lottery. Send an official request to the Kentucky Derby starting as early as January (see Resources below).
6. Hit the official website for the Preakness Stakes and order a premium package for Grandstand and Concourse seats and boxes (see Resources below).
7. Download a Reserved Seat Application Form at the official website for the Belmont Stakes and email it to the New York Racing Association (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to request tickets to the Kentucky Derby online, you'll need to fill out a Twin Spires Club membership form (see Resources below).