That will get you GOOD tickets

Admit that Notre Dame sucks and that you mave been misguided your whole life and secretly are a USC fan..........and I may help you.

Otherwise claim Hacker Craft and get 2 freebies

let me think about it.

I too had 1st Floor Grandstand tickets for 6 consecutive years but did not get an invoice this year.

I called Churchill Downs Special Events Office yesterday (502-636-4446). They told me about the Premium Seating program which involves purchasing a Personal Seat License (PSL) that is good for one year and allows you to decide if you want the same seats again the following year (would have to pay the PSL fee again the following year). Therefore, the cost of the tickets is the cost of the PSL plus the face value of the tickets.

They took my personal information including a request for what section I wanted to sit in -- someone then called me that evening and told me what seats were available in the section I was requesting. I ended up getting Section 222 seats for both the Derby (Row B) and the Oaks -- the cost per seat was $185 face value plus a $190 PSL ($375 per seat for both the Derby and the Oaks). They require a 50% credit card down payment on the PSL and then they will send me an invoice to pay the remaining amount by February 28.

$375 per seat is alot but the seats provide a great view (assuming no rain) and going to the Derby is priceless.

Well, called the number and left a message. Hopefully, I have the same experience.

Thanks for reminding me mbad. I just got the same section a few rows back.
See ya there

Shoot, I think you guys used up all the luck on this one. I can't get someone at CD to actually answer the phone when I call.

slotdirt: Keep trying to get a live person while there are good seats available.

The first time I called in the morning I got a voice mail message -- when I tried later that afternoon, I was able to get a live person. It appears that they are getting a very large amount of phone requests for tickets right now (as both employees I talked to on the phone sounded extremely busy, although they were very helpful).

I got a hold of somebody and she is sending me a brochure. She was swamped. Sounds like they still have seats available.

Shifting topics slightly, is it possible to just do a $50 GA ticket, not do the infield, and still have a good time?

Slot, they asked me for a patron number when I called earlier this month. A couple weeks later I got the brochure. I'm not sure sure if that is required or not.

Persistence pays! I just got a hold of someone, and I'm sitting in section 125 - not too fancy, but it's what they had available - and I'll get an invoice in the next several days. It's my understanding the personal seat license is for two years, so I'll have the option to retain the tickets for next year if I so choose (and I do so choose).

Thanks for the heads up on this, guys!

EDITED: to say that I just heard back and we're in row A, section 125. I had seats similar to this for the 2006 Derby, and there is nothing like front row seats for taking pictures at the Derby. Zero protection from the rain, but I'll take it.

Great news. Regarding the personal seat license, do you have to pay the PSL fee again next year ? I thought they told me you could retain the seats but still had to pay the fee.

I don't know. The Bloodhorse article from today indicates that it's a two year fee as I read it.

go too derby ..go out front ..get ticket form dude who looks like hes stuck ..go in have fun....