LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Separated by a chain-link fence, two very
different Kentucky Derby crowds shared Churchill Downs' sopping wet
infield Saturday.
Ralph Delsardo, a 22-year-old college student, was standing at
the gate that separated the two worlds. He opened his wallet to
illustrate one of the big differences.
"They have more than $35 in their pocket," he said. That, and
"a lot nicer clothes, a lot less flashing and a lot more
manners."
A $121 million renovation project meant some patrons, used to
watching from prime clubhouse seats, were moved instead to a tent
village across the track, leaving less grassy real estate for the
$40 general-admission crowd in the infield.
Patrons in the VIP tent said they paid $250 to $400, many of
them through their companies.
The well-heeled had to negotiate a concrete tunnel under the
track to get to their relocated seats. The less well-heeled used a
separate tunnel to get to the infield and carried in their folding
chairs and tarps.
When heavy rain sent fans scurrying about two hours before the
Derby went off, some of the tarps proved useless, flapping around
in the wind that accompanied the downpour. Within minutes a
waist-deep lake materialized in the infield and already-soaked
spectators took turns jumping in.
"All the cops tried to get everybody out, but people kept
running and jumping into the mud," said 19-year-old Chris Davis of
Louisville. "No one cared."
Those in the high-priced seats got wet, too, when part of the
tent canopy gave way. But they seemed to take it in stride.
"We were drinking mint juleps when it started flooding and a
wall of water came down," said Kathy Dotzler of California.
Rain seeped under the doors in the exclusive Jockey Club Suites,
where celebrities and politicians hang out. Floor mats were used to
push back the water.
The renovation project will leave the historic track's famous
Twin Spires intact but will reshape and modernize much of the rest
of it.
The facelift started last July and won't be done until next
year's Derby. The finished product will have a larger grandstand
and new dining rooms and will be about 400,000 square feet larger
than before.
Unfinished parts of the clubhouse were being used anyway
Saturday, despite bare drywall, exposed pipes and ductwork around
concession stands and betting windows.
Some fans were forgiving of the under-construction look.
"We haven't gone around to see everything, but I think it's
going to look really nice," said Warren Pierce of Chicago.
Those with access to the infield tent wore color-coded
wristbands and could mix with the regular infield crowd if they
chose.
Lisa Wimsatt, 43, said she didn't plan to.
"They can have fun in the mud," she said. "I'm staying right
here."