The 5 kinds of people you see at the Kentucky Derby

With hundreds of thousands of people from all across the world descending on Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby on a normal year, you’re bound to run into some unique personalities.

From those who regularly attend the fastest two minutes in sports, to the first-time visitors eager to check off their bucket list, here are the five kinds of people you’ll see at the Derby.

The Fashionista

High fashion and horses go hand in hand at the Kentucky Derby. Both men and women get decked out in dazzling ensembles for Derby Day, though some go above and beyond to dress to the nines.

From paisley-print ties to designer sheath dresses, suede shoes, and gigantic head wear, you’ll spot a wide array of attire under the Twin Spires.

You’re less likely to locate the high-end Fashionistas hanging out in the infield, where the outdoor area can get pretty muddy. But if you roam through the paddock, or make your way to the suites, you’ll find quite a few elegantly dressed guests, who paid great attention to detail with every aspect of their outfit.

The Handicapper

While many Derby attendees keep their eye out for the fashion, some only care to place their focus on the ponies.

The Handicapper usually has a rolled-up program in their hand, at all times. They will feverishly study the pages between the races, pace around the betting machines, stare at the television to check odds, and carry a wad of cash in their pocket.

Some can be good resources, if they actually know a thing or two about horse racing. If you run into one, strike up a quick, friendly conversation and try to find out who they’re betting in the Derby. They may have the winner figured out.

The First-Timer

You can usually detect a First-Timer based on what they’re wearing and where they’re standing. They don the traditional Derby garb — be it a seersucker suit, or conventional hat and dress — and can be found posing for a photo in front of the Barbaro statue at the main entrance of Churchill Downs.

These are your bucket-listers who planned a trip to Kentucky solely based on the date of the Derby.

Because they’ll probably only come to the Derby once, they tend to go big when they’re at the track. They might have a mint julep in their fist, a cigar in their mouth, and exude a genuine glow of excitement as they take in the atmosphere of the Run for the Roses for the very first time.

The Infielder

These are the wild ones. While the hardcore partiers aren’t limited to the infield area, you’ll notice most of the younger, rowdier crowd in this region of the track.

The Infielder is someone who comes to the Derby to live it up, with no care in the world, no head count on the amount of bourbon they’ve consumed, and no fear of getting dirty.

They might spend more time watching Porta Potty races than the Thoroughbreds galloping along the dirt, and they sometimes dress in more ostentatious apparel (i.e. an outrageous hat or full jockey costume).

They’re loud, proud, and want everyone to know they’re having the time of their life.

The Celebrity

It is not uncommon to stumble across a celebrity at Churchill Downs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, NBA legend Michael Jordan, singer Nick Lachey, and actor Ashton Kutcher are just a few of the prominent figures known to frequent the Derby.

Even the Queen of England, a horse owner and fan of racing, has been to the event, and the guest list of who’s who continues to expand each year.

You’ll likely need a ticket to the Mansion or the Turf Club to get close to these VIPs, but some of them make public appearances in the paddock.

You can run into just about every kind of individual at the Kentucky Derby, from the famous to the free-spirited, which is all part of the allure of the Run for the Roses.

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