For 110,000 Kentucky Derby guests, taking a seat isn't an option

[TexasTowelie]

For years, swelling numbers of visitors have ventured to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby to experience the thrill of a huge race without the prospect of getting to take a seat.

Churchill Downs executives estimate that 110,000 people, of about the 160,000 who flood the complex on Derby Day, have no designated seat. So recognizing there's a real need — and an opportunity to make even more money off the signature event — the company reported last week it's working on ways to handle the unseated masses.

"I’m really excited about further developing the facility. I think unlocking the Derby, in part, depends on building more and more hospitality for the folks that don’t have seats, the 110,000 people that attend the Derby every year that do not have a seat," Churchill CEO William Carstanjen told analysts last week.

Stay tuned for more revelations about the plans in three months. In the meantime, Churchill officials offered no more color on Carstanjen's comments.

Read more: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/events/kentucky-derby/2019/04/29/kentucky-derby-2019-churchill-downs-has-big-seat-shortage/3586478002/

[Bayard]

1. SO exciting!

In 1980, several other girls and I camped out at the front gates with a huge crowd at Churchill Downs. Some of the first into the Infield the next morning, so we were some of the few who actually got to see horses close to the rail. We were so excited to see the filly, Genuine Risk, win (and actually won a little money).

A lot of people just come for the big infield party, and don't care about the races at all.