by Holly Freeland
holly@louisville.com
If 
In the infield.
It’s true. All of those crazy stories you hear about never seeing a horse, having a mint julep with Elvis, and feeling like you’re at Mardis Gras, really do happen. They just happen... in the infield.
As Jared Dehority from Decatur, Illinois tells us "It’s the only place you can have Churchill Downs security warn you about ‘not getting too close to the Queen’ and turn around and hang out with Hulk Hogan all in the same afternoon."
So, Louisville.com has put together a list of tips and suggestions for those first timers to the place we all know and love... The infield.
1. First and foremost: Everyone and anyone can come. No, you won’t find yourself in the grandstands if you don’t already have tickets, but with your infield admission, you can also enjoy the Paddock where you can actually see the horses for each race before they get to the gates. And, the infield is unlimited in its capacity.
2. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Yes, you can still wear a fancy
3. The better the weather, the more people will be there. Rain won't necessarily keep a big crowd away, but bring something to keep you dry if the forecast has some moisture in it. As a reader known as "The Chad" tells us "don't where something you can't afford to get dirty." And, there’s no shade in the infield, so bring sunscreen if it’s going to be a nice day. The only thing worse than a derby hangover the next day is a derby hangover with a sunburn.
4. Bring plenty of cash with you. In case your 1:100 horse doesn’t win you millions, the last thing you’ll want to do is sp/files/storyimages/your afternoon waiting in line to get more money.
5. You’ll see many once in a lifetime scenes in the infield, so leave your inhibitions and patience behind because, well... most everyone else has. As one reader that calls himself "Derby Joe" tells us "We're the guys that make families move when they setup shop in the infield. We're the guys who the news camera people have to cut mid interview cause we're too vulgar to show on camera." And, you’ll find a few “Derby Joes” during your day.
6. I’ll only warn you once about Mint Juleps: Try someone else’s first and decide if you like it. You can buy the glass afterwards at most gas stations or any local Target/Kmart for around $1.89 and it saves you the extra $7 and painful taste in your mouth (You can thank me later). If you like bourbon, though, you have to have one because well, it’s
7. Bring a camera. As I mentioned, you could see Elvis or Hulk Hogan, and well- won’t a picture be better than a story?
8. If you have a horse you like, bet early. As time gets closer to the actual
9. You ARE allowed to bring food into the infield. Be sure to adhere to the packing rules (found at www.churchilldows.com), but as Charlotte Reed from
10. You can find parking at Churchill Downs, and you can find it in the front yards of many residents around the track for reduced prices. However, one of the most effective ways to get to the track is to park your car at the fairgrounds or Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium and ride a TARC bus (Transit Authority of River City) over to the track for a cost of $5. You get dropped off at the front gate and bypass all the traffic... and you may see your favorite celebrity getting VIP front door treatment as well.
11. Find
