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Kentucky Derby: Limited Infield-Only Tickets Go On Sale Wednesday At Noon

A limited number of Infield-only General Admission tickets for the April 30 Longines Kentucky Oaks and May 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve will go on sale at 12 p.m. EST on Wednesday at www.kentuckyderby.com/tickets/2021-derby-week-tickets.

“The Kentucky Derby experience is synonymous with fun and excitement and we're thrilled to welcome fans back to our Infield,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson. “We remain committed to relying on the most recent scientific evidence we have surrounding COVID-19, and with Kentucky Derby Week three weeks away, we are encouraged by the favorable trajectory. In addition to a low positivity rate, Kentucky's vaccination efforts have reached approximately 40 percent of adult Kentuckians with every indication that those numbers will continue to rapidly increase over the coming weeks leading into this year's Derby.”

Derby Day Infield-only General Admission tickets, which will not have access to the Frontside of the venue, are $75 if purchased prior to April 18; $80 if purchased between April 19-30; and $85 if purchased on Derby Day. Oaks Day Infield-only General Admission tickets, which will not have access to the Frontside of the venue, are $55 if purchased prior to April 18; $60 if purchased between April 19-29; and $65 if purchased on Oaks Day.

Two-day Infield-only General Admission tickets for both Oaks and Derby are $120 if purchased prior to April 18 or $135 if purchased between April 19-29.

An official program is included with all tickets.

Guests who purchase Infield-only General Admission tickets must enter Churchill Downs through the Infield Admission Gate at Central Avenue and Fourth Street. The Infield-only General Admission tickets will not have access to the Frontside of the venue.

General Admission guests will have access to food and beverage options for purchase at Infield concession stands. Infield guests will also have designated restrooms and wagering windows.

Additional ticket inventory to Oaks and Derby is also available, including uncovered reserved bleacher seating in the First Turn; uncovered reserved box seating for six in the Infield; and First and Second Floor Grandstand reserved seats. All reserved seats include all-inclusive food, non-alcoholic beverages and alcoholic beverages.

As previously announced, reserved seats are limited to approximately 40 to 50 percent of seated capacity. General Admission ticket sales will be limited to approximately 25 to 30 percent of Infield capacity.

The 147^th runnings of the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks and $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve will be held on Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1, respectively.

Guests with tickets who are unable to attend the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks or other events can utilize the Kentucky Derby Ticket Exchange, the official fan-to-fan resale marketplace and only authorized resale platform, to resell tickets. The Official Kentucky Derby Ticket Exchange allows guests to resell tickets, charge face value or above and guarantee authenticity through Ticketmaster verified tickets.

Notification of the availability of additional tickets to Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks will be made by way of email and social media. Fans are encouraged to subscribe to the Kentucky Derby's email distribution list online at https://www.kentuckyderby.com/tickets/newsletter-signup and follow @KentuckyDerby on social media to stay updated on any changes to ticket availability.

Those interested in attending Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks can also visit Derby Experiences, the Kentucky Derby's Official Experience Package Partner, to explore a variety of packages combining Derby and Oaks seats with access to exclusive lounges, VIP Fast Access passes, hotel and transportation accommodations and more. Information is available online at www.derbyexperiences.com/kentucky-derby-2021.

Churchill Downs ticket options are available for other popular Derby Week events: Opening Night presented by Budweiser (Saturday, April 24); Dawn at the Downs (Sunday, April 25 and Monday, April 26); Champions Day presented by TwinSpires (Tuesday, April 27); and Thurby presented by Old Forester (Thursday, April 29).

In addition to Kentucky Derby Week, tickets are on sale for the entire 2021 Spring Meet, which covers 38 dates from Saturday, April 24 through Saturday, June 26.

Notable Spring Meet events and dates include Twilight Thursdays (Thursdays, May 6-June 24); Mother's Day (Sunday, May 9); Preakness Stakes Simulcast (Saturday, May 15); Sunday Brunch (Sundays, May 16-June 20); Downs After Dark presented by Budweiser (Saturdays, May 22 and June 12); Stephen Foster Preview Day (Saturday, May 29); Memorial Day (Monday, May 31); Teacher Appreciation Day (Thursday, June 3); Belmont Stakes Simulcast (Saturday, June 5); Flag Day Observance (Sunday, June 13); Father's Day (Sunday, June 20); and Stephen Foster Day/Closing Day (Saturday, June 26).

Churchill Downs will continue to rely on proven health and safety protocols and operate within the guidance of state health officials as well as the CDC. Information regarding Churchill Downs' Health & Safety plan for Kentucky Derby 2021 can be found at www.kentuckyderby.com/tickets/ticket-options/updates.

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Santa Anita’s Infield Reopens To Fans On Santa Anita Derby Day

A fans' favorite for generations, Santa Anita's spacious Infield Area will reopen to the public this Saturday, Runhappy Santa Anita Derby Day. “Bring Your Own Seat” Admission to the Infield, which is accessible via Gate 6 off of Colorado Place on the track's northern perimeter, is just $5. “Bring Your Own Seat” Admission includes parking and a racing program.

All tickets must be purchased in advance at santaanita.com/open. Tickets may be purchased in quantities of one to six and ticket holders are welcome to bring their food and beverage, with the exception of alcohol and glass containers.

As in years past, Infield ticket holders are welcome to bring lawn chairs and coolers and are advised to please consider bringing sunscreen as shade will not be provided. Each pod or household group will be required to set up at least 10 feet away from other pods to ensure proper social distancing. Limited food and beverage service will be available.

Picnic Reserved Seating will also be available this weekend. Located on the west end of the Infield, Santa Anita's Picnic Circles offer fans shade, televisions and private gardens from which to enjoy the races.

Picnic Circle tickets are available at santaanita.com/open for $10, which guarantees a reserved seat in the shade, a racing program and self-parking in the North Lot via Gate 6.

Picnic Circle tickets may be purchased in quantities of three to six and ticket holders may bring their own food and beverage, with the exception of alcohol and glass containers.

Fans are advised that face masks are required and that COVID safety protocols apply throughout the Infield Area.

For additional information, please visit santaanita.com or call (626) 574-RACE.

The post Santa Anita’s Infield Reopens To Fans On Santa Anita Derby Day appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Smaller Grandstand, Fans In The Infield? O’Rourke Pitching Ideas For Belmont Renovation

New York Racing Association president and CEO Dave O'Rourke is preparing to present the state with redevelopment plans for Belmont Park, reports the Daily Racing Form, which could include a grandstand just one-third the size of the existing one.

Rather than retrofitting the current grandstand, O'Rourke favors rebuilding a smaller version because he believes it represents fewer challenges. All three surfaces at Belmont also need to be renovated, O'Rourke said, and the project could include opening the infield to fans. Specific plans will be drawn up once the state approves a general direction for the project.

The state is the landowner at Belmont Park, where the current construction nearing completion is a new arena for the National Hockey League's New York Islanders. Construction on the arena began in September of 2019, and while it was delayed due to COVID-19, completion is expected in fall of 2021.

“We think it's a really good project,” O'Rourke told drf.com. “One, we can fund it off VLTs. It'll create jobs. It also might create some other opportunities for the state with what it could free up at Aqueduct. Our anticipation is that those conversations with the state are going to pick up literally within the next few weeks.”