Things You'll Need:
- Some money to bet
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Step 1
Dress the part.Like other tracks, Churchill has some dress codes. They are not too strict in comparison, but you do need to follow their rules.For general admission tickets, there is no dress code. However, if you are going to be sitting in an area that is termed reserved seating, there is a dress code. It can be anything from needing sleeves or pants to rooms that requires jackets and ties. So consult their website for exact dress requirements based on location.
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Step 2
Take a tour.The track offers tours given by the Derby Museum. They begin after race 2 and are shorter in duration. They are casual and can be a fun way to see the entire track and learn about some of its features.To schedule a tour, call a customer service representative at (502) 637-1111. Or you can show up at the information desks located at gates 10 and 17 for more information.
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Step 3
Visit the Kentucky Museum.The Derby is the most historic and prestigious horse racing event in the country, and if you are going to take the time to go to Churchill Downs, do yourself a favor and visit the Derby Museum. It has tons of information and interesting things all related to the big race and horse racing. It's a great site for the family or for any horse racing enthusiast. It can be a lot of fun.The museum is open to the public 7 days per week, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Derby and Oaks day. The museum also has the Derby Cafe, where you can eat lunch on any weekday.
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Step 4
Pick your day.Churchill Downs has plenty of exciting racing days on their stakes schedule. And if you want to see great racing, you should plan your trip on one of there stakes days. Of course there is the Kentucky Derby, but there's also the Kentucky Oaks, the Stephen Foster Handicap and numerous other graded stakes races throughout the year.Do yourself a favor and go on one of their big days.
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Step 5
Go to the Derby.It's the best race of the year and something every horseman looks forward to it. But in order to ensure that you'll get a spot at the track, you must make your plans well in advance. So call up and order you tickets to the Derby early. It's contested on the first Saturday in May each year, and you can bet that there will be tens of thousands of people in attendance.Also be sure to book your hotel reservations far in advance as well. They will fill up just as fast (or faster) than the track, and you'll be stuck paying a premium price for a dingy hotel. So get on it!
