Considering the Derby next year...

I will be enjoying the Derby, with Mint Julip in hand, from our friends Derby party on Sat. However, next year we are thinking about making the trip down.

How far in advance should we start looking, or book, a hotel?

I like to be prepared, if a Derby trip is what we decide to do, since I know events such as this it becomes difficult if you wait too long.

Considering the Derby next year...

I am thinking of doing it next year also! I just started looking at places online but its hard to see prices when they don%26#39;t let you book this far in advance.

Considering the Derby next year...

Yeah, that is a problem this far out. I am curious if it is one of those things were you can reserve 6 months out, after the 1st of the year, etc

I am sure if we called we could probably get prices but we haven%26#39;t totally decided if this is what we want to do next year.

Call the places directly and book now. If it were me, I%26#39;d do a B%26amp;B in Old Louisville. Otherwise, 21C, The Seelbach, Galt House or Marriott would all be good choices. Make your dinner reservations now as well. Jack Fry%26#39;s is the Holy Grail.

If you want to go to the Derby and get a seat (good luck), it depends on a complicated formula. They used to spell it out on their site (kentuckyderby.com/2009/鈥eneral-admission) but my link for the FAQ is defunct (and I didn%26#39;t post it). Basically it went something like this (as I remember it): Apply for a non-infield ticket and you%26#39;ll get a random chance at it where the likelihood of you getting a ticket depends on

1. How many times you%26#39;ve asked in the past.

2. How consistently you%26#39;ve asked in the past. (Yes they keep track!)

3. Whether you%26#39;re a member of the Twin Spires Club and how much you%26#39;ve bet in person and on-line

and probably a bunch of other things I%26#39;ve forgotten (like whether you%26#39;ve won an Academy Award or Nobel Prize recently). However, they do have a certain (small) number of tickets for first-time askers, so if you%26#39;re lucky at your state lottery you might luck out on this too.

There%26#39;s no limit on the infield admission but from what I%26#39;ve heard don%26#39;t pay the $40 for that unless you like to not see the horses, like standing a long time, and don%26#39;t mind various fluids (rain, beer, vomit, etc.) landing on you.

Best bet is to start asking. Some people get in after 4 years, or 10 years, or 1 year, or never. You can probably buy a seat from a tour agency (I never looked because I assume they%26#39;d be prohibitively expensive). Of course if you%26#39;re an actor/entertainer you%26#39;ll have no problem getting in on even the first year.

I%26#39;ve only asked twice and gotten turned down. But then I let a few years elapse so I probably have to start over again.

Sorry, I can%26#39;t help you on the hotel question though.