8/3/2019 Insiders Guide Churchill Downs

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[12] BREEDERS’ CUP  2 0 1 1

Wager here. Thereʼs a little-known nook at the gateway betweenthe grandstand and clubhouse, underSection 320, with typically uncrowdedbetting windows. Plus, there are fewernovices trying to bet their horses byname rather than number. The pari-mutuel clerks here are sometimesshipped in for the big days from tracksin neighboring states — so you mightget someone who understands how aplayer might be working the angles

in a trifecta part-wheel or laying outa multiple Pick Six scheme.

Open seating. Sections 126,127 and 128 in the first-floorgrandstand (roughly located acrossthe track from the 3/16 pole) willbe first-come, first-served for thegeneral admission crowd. Costis $15 on Breedersʼ Cup Friday,Nov. 4, and $25 on Breedersʼ CupSaturday, Nov. 5. It might be yourbest bet all weekend.

The view from the first turn.   This usedto be the hidden gem for general-admission fans onDerby Day. They could watch the race from a grassyarea, wedged between higher-priced seating sections,that offers a view of the track and the Twin Spires. You can still get to a gravel spot on the edge of thefirst turn that provides a glimpseof the Twin Spires and themassive grandstand, even if itʼsthrough a fence. Thereʼs also ahandy set of uncrowded bettingwindows nearby.

Sitting near a winner. Spend the day near theBreedersʼ Cup winnerʼs circle(the everyday one, not the onein the infield thatʼs used forDerby), get a prime view of thestretch and eavesdrop on horsemen whoknow the game and like to talk about it.Betting windows arenʼt far away, either.

No waiting. Ladies will findthe shortest restroom lines onthe main floor or “on the bricks”to the left of U.S. Bank near thefirst-aid station. Another tip:Churchill̓ s cobblestone-stylebricks are rough on heeledshoes. If the fashionista in youmust wear heels, stow some flatsin your purse.

Lost and found. A placeto meet should you and yourfriends go astray is at themammoth Pierre “Peb” Belloqpainting on the clubhouseʼssecond-floor, in between sections316 and 317. Itʼs the muralfeaturing all the jockeys whohave won the Kentucky Derby.Itʼs huge, running on for whatseems like a furlong and manyroads lead to it. If you want toget really specific, plan to meet“at Calvinʼs three fingers” —thatʼd be the portrait in themural of Calvin Borel signalingthe number of Derbies heʼs won.

Autograph hunting? After the race,position yourself near the paddock on the northeastside, behind the photo store, where the jockeysmake their way to and from the track. It ʼs a goodway to get a glimpse of the colorful silks and the

men who ride the horses, and agreat way to get an autograph.After Mike Smith rode Giacomo to astunning upset in Derby 131, he wasbesieged by fans, friends and mediaafter the race — until he got to thislittle passageway, where he waspractically alone until one fan askedSmith to sign his Derby cap. Thejockey, his Derby-winning silks stilldirty from the ride, happily obliged.

An Insider’s Guide to Churchill Downs

CHURCHILL DOWNS