Thurby is becoming quite popular and is now a tourist attraction itself. Typically by Thursday, most of the vendors are set up to welcome visitors and create photo opportunities. The track opens at 10a and the races start at 12:45pm. I encourage an early arrival to have the easiest experience with parking, shuttles, roaming the track, snapping pictures and checking out the program for your first bet. We use the Twinspires app, but they have several wager windows open. Races run every 30 minutes and it's a quick day. Our visit was in the Skye Terrace, which connects to Millionaires Row. Outside balconies allow outside viewing while still being covered for bad weather. Our ticket also included food and drinks. Based on cocktail prices, I love the set pricing. Food is average. I love Derby Week! Don't hesitate coming to Thurby or any day during this time. read more

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Once upon a time, this truly was the day for the locals. Once upon a time, before it was branded with a very silly name and rolled in to the Derby week hubbub, it was fun but kinda chill and manageable. But that was once upon a time....and now we are here and it is called Thurby, and it is almost as big a deal as Oaks (give it a couple more years....and locals will be priced out of it soon enough). This year, I was invited as a plus one to a catered, open-bar, indoor-outdoor area group event. I don't know what it cost, as that was covered by the group she was going with. So I primarily attended because I could go for free AND have my food and drink for the day be included. The most affordable Derby-week activity! Parking was more obnoxious than we had hoped and expected, but after weighing all options...we discovered that parking at the Expo Center and a shuttle to and from the Downs from there was included with our tickets so we opted to do it that way. There was still PLENTY (too much) walking to be done, but less than if we parked at the on-the-day pay lot/rideshare pick up and drop off area. So that was a win. I was grateful to discover that regular, not-see-through-able purses are still allowed in here because I didn't want to have to try to get one on crazy short notice....and while I would have preferred to travel light...I wanted to have a change of shoes to inevitably become more comfortable and switch my heels to flats. It was a good choice, btw. Or...I might could have just done flats for the whole day. But I also won't pass up a chance to get fancied up! The food was fine. Better than expected and better than it looked. The drinks were pretty decent, and at least one bartender was fabulous! (the other, we discovered halfway through the day, had a hidden earpiece and was communicating with someone else where...we thiiiiink about stock needs. This explained a lot about his unfriendliness and apparent nonsensical words anytime he did speak). The lines for betting were totally manageable in our area, and the employees working were patient and helpful. I had a great day! It was a fantastic time, primarily thanks to the company I kept... read more

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I went to Thurby today after first going a few years ago. You could say that I first went to Thurby -- aka "the Thursday before Derby" -- before Thurby was a thing. And, boy, is Thurby now a thing. The grandstands seemed to be almost sold out with a large crowd pretty much everywhere we went in Churchill. (And no, before you ask, Werby is not a thing. The "Wednesday before Derby" -- that's just silly.) But even with the crowds, Thurby retains a bit of that low-key allure that appeals so much to the locals, much like how The Oaks used to be the day to go for locals. Our tickets were roughly $40 for a seat in the grandstands, which is way better than the $150+ for Oaks. Some other pros: * Traffic isn't quite such a mess. My husband was able to drop us off and pick us up next to Santa Fe Grill on Heywood Avenue, about three blocks from Churchill, without too much trouble. * I was able to still get grandstand seats a couple of days beforehand. * You can get souvenir Derby and Oaks glasses at Thurby. * Even with the newly constructed entrance and parking changes at Churchill, we easily made our way inside. A con, though: The lines to bet and to get drinks were so long. It took us roughly 15-30 minutes per line. It seemed like the track wasn't quite ready for the crowd, and I don't remember such long lines from my previous visits. There also weren't many people selling drinks in the stands. When it comes to betting, though, I was happy to discover the Churchill Downs app. You also get a free $10 to bet with for starting an account at TwinSpires.com. The great -- and dangerous -- thing about the app is that you can bet at your seat and without looking like a noob at the betting window. You also don't have to go back up to the window to cash out. You can read some of my other tips in my Kentucky Derby review: http://bit.ly/2JTIokT. In summary, if you're a local, go to Thurby. read more

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I adore the track and, as a native Louisvillian, have a deep affection for everything Derby. We went to Oaks for many years until locals were priced out. Three years ago we switched to Thursday - I can't call it Thurby, it's just too dang cheesy and commercial. The weather cooperated and we were dropped off at the corner of 4th and Central by a friend. The walk doesn't seem so far at the beginning of the day. By the end of the day, when your walking to a lot across from Cardinal Stadium to get a taxi, it feels like the other side of the country. However, ride-sharing/cab allowed everyone to imbibe safely and it was only a $20 fare back to Nulu. Our grandstand seats were fantastic - Section 322 right by the finish line. We didn't have cover, but Mother Nature kept the rain away. I agree with others that it didn't seem as if the track had enough workers. Betting window lines were impossibly long (25-30 min on average). I stopped betting after the 6th race because I wanted to enjoy my friends and the track, not stand in a line. Drink and food lines were also pretty insane. I wish you could bring in boxed lunches like you can for Oaks and Derby. Many people would still buy concessions at the track, but it would really help the lines. It's also a big help to those of us with dietary restrictions that just end up eating fries and pretzels. In the end, Derby week is a tradition that I love and look forward to each Spring. I remember that a slightly challenging Thursday at Churchill with the girls still beats a good day at work. read more

Thurby - Horse Racing Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I've been to Derby. This was my first time at Thurby. Thurby is much more laid-back and it's a great time to learn betting and wagering if you've never done it before. All the workers are friendly and happy. Not wore out and cranky yet, like some on Derby. There's 11 races and just as much glam and fantastic outfits as on Oaks or Derby. Huge fabulous hats are everywhere too. Our seats were in the newer area at the end of the track in turn 1 and 2. Great to see the horses take off out of the gate. Not so much for seeing the finish line. It is visible but you can't see which horses came in what place unless you watch one of the multiple televisions that televise each race. Or you can watch on the huge big screen. We had unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks and buffet with our tickets. Mixed drinks are $6. A Derby glass with your drink was an additional $2. A Mint Julip or a Lily in a souvenir glass was $10 (so $8 for the drinks). Buffet was pasta, salad, chicken wings, Mexican mix, cookies and brownies. My only complaint was that it was too hot for all hot food. Needed some cold options mixed in for choices. Everything I ate was delicious. We weren't in millionaires row, and not in the infield, but we did sit two rows back from Fuzzy Zeller lol. read more

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Yes, it's too crowded. Yes, the weather is a crapshoot. But I really enjoy the Thurby experience. It's a nice atmosphere, and even if it's too crowded, there's still way less people than on Oaks and Derby days. read more

I've been wanted to go to "Thurby" the newest day for locals during Derby week for a few years. I am traditionally an Oaks Day girl but after experiencing Thurby- I will never turn back! Unlike Oaks and Derby- Thurby is affordable. I usually spend $100-$150 each for uncovered Grandstand seating on Oaks Day. Our Thurby seats were only $43 each on the 3rd floor and covered. I also noticed parking was way easier to find, the line was much shorter entering the track, and the drink prices cheaper! WOOHOO!! I always buy at least one or two Mint Juleps and generally pay about $14 per drink. They were only $10 in the same glass you would receive on Derby or Oaks. The bathroom line was shorter too. The only thing that didn't seem much different was the betting lines. I am not sure if the people placing bets were being indecisive and holding up the lines or if the people working were inexperienced, but placing a bet on Thurby was challenging. We had a blast on the Thursday of Derby week. We have found our new tradition. read more