Kentucky Derby Infield 2011: A Must-See Part of the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby Infield is a sea of humanity composed of people of every shape, age and size. It’s also the most affordable way to get into Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby 2011 -- but don’t expect to see a horse.
Buy a $40 general admission ticket and you can walk in through Gate 3 at 4th and Central, dip into a loud and thunderous tunnel that goes under the track, and emerge into the famous "Infield." First, though, there’s a gauntlet of security guards who will thoroughly check every item you bring in for contraband. That doesn’t keep clever and creative collegians from trying to get a bottle of booze through, disguising the liquor in every way imaginable.
In the last decade or so, Downs management has corporate-ized the Infield in some ways, building a grandstand facing the track and paving much of what used to be grassy area. There are plenty of vendor booths, betting windows and, yes, port-o-potties.
Weather conditions have created some interesting sights. If there’s rain, there will be mud, and Slip-N-Slides will appear out of nowhere. If it’s sunny, there will be skin, and lots of it. The most raucous spot is near the women’s bathroom, where requests of young ladies to show more skin are common despite an ever-present police watch.
Massive quantities of alcohol are consumed in the Infield, and some believe it’s a requirement that a Mint Julep is ordered by every guest by noon.
The craziest spot is in the third turn, where the college crowds hang out. A relatively sedate area, inhabited by families, is on the first turn. In the middle is a sea of people who have made a land grab early on, claiming their spots with blankets and tents, sitting on coolers and modeling alcohol-inspired headware.
About the only time all day the noise of the Infield pipes down a bit comes a few minutes before the Derby, when everyone listens for the strains of “My Old Kentucky Home,” sways back and forth and tries to sing along. Then there's the race, and the crowd listens intently to the call of the announcer.
For many locals, the Infield is something that is a necessary one-time experience. For others, it’s an annual party that can't be missed.
Posted on Apr 12, 2011 by Rick Redding
