The 2018 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs could break sales records with the high-demand for a spot at the event and a spike in both the winning prize and ticket prices.
According to a resale price analysis, ticket costs have increased dramatically since 2015. Ticket Club data shows that the average price guests paid this year is $470 per ticket, which is the highest ticket cost over the past five years. This is a 28 percent increase from last year’s prices, and a 43 percent jump from the 2014 Derby.
On the other hand, reserved seating prices have actually decreased over time, starting in 2015; last year’s most expensive ticket totaled $2,950, while this year’s is $2,153. StubHub reports that the states with the most buyers include Texas and Kentucky, followed by California, Illinois, and New York.
Friday is the annual running of the Kentucky Oaks – a race for 3-year-old female horses. Saturday’s grand event is the country’s biggest showcase of horse racing, followed by the second and third jewels of the “triple crown” – Preakness in Baltimore and the Belmont Stakes in New York. Celebrities will make appearances, outfits will be closely watched, and $2 million is at stake. It has been dubbed “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” with 20 horses in the race.
Not only is this a highly-anticipated event because of the short nature of the race, but fans are also looking forward to potentially ending a “curse” this year. The last horse that won after not having raced at 2-years-old was in 1882, named Apollo. Now, ‘Apollo’s Curse,’ which is 136 years old, is all over the media. Two of the horses in this year’s race – Justify and Magnum Moon – did not race while 2 years-old, so they might have a chance at finally defying odds and breaking the curse.
For those that won’t be able to attend, the race will be streamed tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. ET on NBC. Check out the Kentucky Derby post draw, updated odds below, and visit Ticket Club to find tickets to the event.
| 1 | Firenze Fire | 50-1 |
| 2 | Free Drop Billy | 30-1 |
| 3 | Promises Fulfilled | 30-1 |
| 4 | Flameaway | 30-1 |
| 5 | Audible | 8-1 |
| 6 | Good Magic | 12-1 |
| 7 | Justify | 3-1 |
| 8 | Lone Sailor | 50-1 |
| 9 | Hofburg | 20-1 |
| 10 | My Boy Jack | 30-1 |
| 11 | Bolt d’Oro | 8-1 |
| 12 | Enticed | 30-1 |
| 13 | Bravazo | 50-1 |
| 14 | Mendelssohn | 5-1 |
| 15 | Instilled Regard | 50-1 |
| 16 | Magnum Moon | 6-1 |
| 17 | Solomini | 30-1 |
| 18 | Vino Rosso | 12-1 |
| 19 | Noble Indy | 30-1 |
| 20 | Combatant | 50-1 |