Daily Idea

Insider’s Guide to the Kentucky Derby

The first week in May is a special time here at the home office in Louisville, Kentucky as we gear up for this year’s Kentucky Derby. It’s been called the fastest two minutes in sports and no other city turns two minutes into two weeks as well as Louisville.

More than 150,000 people are expected at Churchill Downs this Saturday. If you’re one of them, get a few betting tips from your rich aunt and grab your big hat and come along for Daily Idea’s “Insider’s Guide to the Kentucky Derby.”

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Hi, I’m Joe Bennett and you’re watching the Daily Idea

The first week in May is a special time here at the home office in Louisville, Kentucky as we gear up for this year’s Kentucky Derby. It’s been called the fastest two minutes in sports and no other city turns two minutes into two weeks as well as Louisville.

More than 150,000 people are expected at Churchill Downs this Saturday. If you’re one of them, get a few betting tips from your rich aunt and grab your big hat and come along for Daily Idea’s “Top 5 Tips for the Kentucky Derby.”

Number five, take the bus.

For a couple of bucks both ways, you can get drop off and pick up service right to the gate. The local transit authority has pick up sites around the city where you can leave your car. You’ll need to make a beeline for the bus immediately after the Derby race, but it’ll save your hours of waiting in traffic when it’s time to go home…or head to your next party.

Number four, if you’re headed for the infield, bring your own food.

Unlike many major sporting events, patrons at the Derby are allowed to bring in their own food. It’s subject to inspection at the gate, but mainly because the attendants are checking for alcohol, which is not allowed. If you’re paying $40 for general admission to the infield take a cooler full of snacks. It’ll save you a bundle since food costs at the track are about what you’d expect. May we suggest a bucket of delicious KFC. (“Gratuitous Local Product Plug!”)

Have a mint julep. Or six.

The more you have, the better they taste. And you get to keep the glasses.

Next, learn how to bet.

If this is your first trip to the races, you need to know how to tell the cashier what you want to bet. There’s a short section on placing your wager in the program so give it a read before you get to the window. If you’re not really interested in betting big, I recommend a show parlay.

And finally, learn the words to “My Old Kentucky Home.”

There’s about an hour and a half between the ninth race and the tenth race, which is the actual Kentucky Derby. That’s a long wait for just two minutes of action. But Derby tradition dictates that right before the race, the entire crowd sings “My Old Kentucky Home.” Since drunk people sing loud, the roar is deafening as you can imagine. Not to sound like a total homer, but it really is magical so learn the words and sing along.

Here’s hoping you win big this Saturday at the Derby. And that’s another Daily Idea.

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