Open seating.

Sections 126, 127 and 128 in the rst-oor grandstand (roughly located across the track from the 3/16 pole) will be rst-come, rst-served for the general admission crowd. Cost is $15 on Breeders Cup Friday, Nov. 4, and $25 on Breeders Cup Saturday, Nov. 5. It might be your best bet all weekend.

The view from the rst turn. This used to be the hidden gem for general-admission fans on Derby Day. They could watch the race from a grassy area, wedged between higher-priced seating sections, that offers a view of the track and the Twin Spires. You can still get to a gravel spot on the edge of the rst turn that provides a glimpse of the Twin Spires and the massive grandstand, even if its through a fence. Theres also a handy set of uncrowded betting windows nearby.

Wager here. Theres a littleknown nook at the gateway between the grandstand and clubhouse, under Section 320, with typically uncrowded betting windows. Plus, there are fewer novices trying to bet their horses by name rather than number. The parimutuel clerks here are sometimes shipped in for the big days from tracks in neighboring states so you might get someone who understands how a player might be working the angles in a trifecta part-wheel or laying out a multiple Pick Six scheme.

An Insiders Guide to Churchill Downs

Lost and found. A place to meet should you and your friends go astray is at the mammoth Pierre Peb Belloq painting on the clubhouses second-oor, in between sections 316 and 317. Its the mural featuring all the jockeys who have won the Kentucky Derby. Its huge, running on for what seems like a furlong and many roads lead to it. If you want to get really specic, plan to meet at Calvins three ngers thatd be the portrait in the mural of Calvin Borel signaling the number of Derbies hes won.

No waiting. Ladies will nd the shortest restroom lines on the main oor or on the bricks to the left of U.S. Bank near the rst-aid station. Another tip: Churchills cobblestone-style bricks are rough on heeled shoes. If the fashionista in you must wear heels, stow some ats in your purse.

C HURC HILL DOWNS

Sitting near a winner. Spend the day near the Breeders Cup winners circle (the everyday one, not the one in the ineld thats used for Derby), get a prime view of the stretch and eavesdrop on horsemen who know the game and like to talk about it. Betting windows arent far away, either.

Autograph hunting? After the race, position yourself near the paddock on the northeast side, behind the photo store, where the jockeys make their way to and from the track. Its a good way to get a glimpse of the colorful silks and the men who ride the horses, and a great way to get an autograph. After Mike Smith rode Giacomo to a stunning upset in Derby 131, he was besieged by fans, friends and media after the race until he got to this little passageway, where he was practically alone until one fan asked Smith to sign his Derby cap. The jockey, his Derby-winning silks still dirty from the ride, happily obliged.

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