Tickets are now on sale for Woodbine’s 3rd annual Derby Day Party, which will be held at the Toronto racetrack on Saturday, May 4 in celebration of the Kentucky Derby.

Woodbine’s first must-attend social event of the Thoroughbred season celebrates the 145th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby with a viewing of the first jewel of the U.S. Triple Crown from Churchill Downs.

Beginning at 12 noon on the first Saturday in May, this year’s event will be held in the Post Parade Dining Room, providing party-goers with a unique vantage point to take in Woodbine’s live racing action throughout the day.

The fashionable experience will feature Kentucky-inspired cocktails and gourmet food stations, the return of the fabulous Derby Day Best Dressed Contest with a $500 grand prize and live music from The Lonely Hearts, a high energy quartet with a vast repertoire of music to keep the party going all day long.

Woodbine’s internationally-trained culinary team will serve up a new Southern-style menu created for this year’s Derby Day Party including 24-Hour Smoked Prime Beef Brisket, Rolled Chesapeake Oyster and Crab, Roasted Nectarine Benedictine Tea Sandwiches, Salted Caramel Cheesecake and Bourbon Pecan Balls.

General admission tickets for Woodbine’s Derby Day Party are $75. VIP tickets, which will include access to exclusive seating and open bar privileges, are available for $115. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.ca.

Guests will receive 15 per cent off the price of a Queen’s Plate Racing Festival ticket with the purchase of any Derby Day Party ticket. Those who have already purchased their Queen’s Plate tickets will receive $5 off Derby Day tickets.

Woodbine’s Thoroughbred racing season gets underway on April 20.