An all-time record in weekend bets north of $400 million is expected at Churchill Downs for the much-anticipated 150th running of the Kentucky Derby taking place the first weekend in May. But for visiting guests enjoying the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” the number that really matters is the $200 million-plus in trackside improvements for the historic 2024 races.
The main event was a total reworking of the multi-level Paddock building. The new version is more than twice as big, and it’s the epicenter of the racetrack’s action. It combines the pre-race stables where the jockeys and horses suit up with food and drink outlets and several VIP lounges, such as the all-new Woodford Reserve Paddock Club. Considered an ultra-premium lounge, it lets fans get closer to the action than ever before, with tables that look directly at the horse stalls. The Woodford Club now accesses a formerly private rose-covered tunnel connected directly to the Paddock lawn, and the lounge mixes indoor and outdoor spaces, with trackside viewing on the rail just before the finish line. Derby Experiences, the official ticket package provider for Churchill Downs, is sold out for Woodford, but keeps a waiting list, and still has packages available to the similar and adjacent indoor/outdoor Club SI ultra-premium lounge, from $12,333 for a table of six.
All reserved seats, even in the open-air grandstands, are sold as two-day packages, including the Friday Kentucky Oaks and the Saturday Derby. A big institutional change at Churchill Downs this year is that all reserved seat packages, even basic Grandstand, now include a menu of complimentary food and drinks, including alcohol, and depending on where the seats are, these range from basic to deluxe. Old Forester is the house pour at most reserved seats, while fancier lounges have multiple options, including Woodford Reserve, the race’s longtime official bourbon.
For nearly a century, the Mint Julep has been the Derby’s official drink (for Saturday’s Kentucky Oaks it’s the signature Lily, a pink vodka cocktail). In most of the track venues and general admission stands these are premade with Old Forester, while in some luxury lounges bartenders make them to order. Since 1939, Juleps have been served in an annual special-edition souvenir glass with the name of every Derby winner on it, and these are collectibles, so hang on to yours.
There are now 23 venues in the “Luxury & Premium Dining,” category, including the new additions and classics such as Millionaires Row and the Aristides Lounge. According to Derby Experiences, in the more luxurious lounges, there will be daily bourbon tastings offered, with Yellowstone 93, Old Forester 1924, and Davies County for Oaks Day and Old Forester Statesman, WhistlePig Piggy Back, 1792 Small Batch, and Basil Hayden on Derby Day.
One of the most popular package additions from Derby Experiences is the Thursday night welcome party, “Thurby,” in the Kentucky Derby Museum within Churchill Downs. This year’s event honors women in whiskey, such as Woodford Reserve master distiller Elizabeth McCall. Thurby will feature bourbon flights of Woodford, Pinhook, and Jeptha Creed, alongside a three-course dinner by Louisville’s most famous celebrity chef Edward Lee. The party can be added to any official ticket package for $400 per person. In the same museum space on Friday night is the popular Fillies & Lilies party ($600 per person), where tasting flights feature Michter’s Toasted Barrel finished rye, Peerless Double Oak, Blue Run Reflection, and Brothers of the Leaf.
The most basic reserved seating is in the open-air Grandstand, and in addition to the luxury lounges, there are a couple of other notable new reserved seating options. The Homestretch Club is a section of existing uncovered bleachers along the final stretch of the racecourse that was transformed into premium boxes, holding up to 10 spectators. The Turn 1 Experience used to be temporary seating for the big day, but is now permanent stadium seating with an upgraded all-inclusive menu. Infield reserved seats with food and drink are in temporary structures, and these are the poshest options within the otherwise carnival atmosphere of the mostly general admission standing-only infield. But these sold out fast and are available only on the resale market.
New for the 150th running is the first general admission option besides the infield, a standing-only section within the new Paddock area, which does not include any food or drink but has easy access to concessions. The infield general admission is the most affordable option at the race. Infield ticketholders cannot access the Grandstand or Paddock, though they can bring collapsible chairs and blankets.
Away from Churchill Downs in downtown Louisville, many of the city’s best whiskey-centric watering holes are in its top hotels. The venerable Galt House has two bars for whiskey lovers, the race-themed Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar and Down One Bourbon Bar. The Hotel Distil in the heart of Whiskey Row has Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse, with 200-plus whiskies. The Omni has multiple drinking options including the well-stocked bar at Bob’s Steakhouse and the speakeasy-style Pin & Proof with local whiskeys in its signature cocktails. The Seelbach Hilton—believed to be F. Scott Fitzgerald’s inspiration for the “Great Gatsby” —houses the glamorous Old Seelbach Bar with a lengthy list of bourbons, and the original location of the 21c Museum Hotel chain is here, with Proof on Main featuring hundreds of whiskies and nearly three dozen private cask bottlings.
