I just saw a story on this. It is in response to the Boston bombing.
if backpacks are outlawed, only outlaws will have backpacks?
Makes sense
Very large, concentrated, inebriated crowd.
Why do you need a backpack?
[QUOTE=2ndyrgal;6956526]
Why do you need a backpack?[/QUOTE]
When I am spending the day at an outdoor type event I always bring my backpack. Easy way to carry all my crap.
It totally does not make sense to me to not allow backpacks. Are they still allowing purses?
[QUOTE=trubandloki;6956576]
When I am spending the day at an outdoor type event I always bring my backpack. Easy way to carry all my crap.
It totally does not make sense to me to not allow backpacks. Are they still allowing purses?[/QUOTE]
What about GIANT purses and totes?
^ That is kind of what I asked. They are allowing those giant purses some women carry? Or a tote bag?
I can totally see checking out the contents of bags of any type. I do not get saying one type of bag is not allowed.
This was cited on the Derby thread when these new rules were quietly rolled out last week 
New security policy for Oaks and Derby (4/18/13)
The list of items that will not be permitted for carry-in on Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Day includes (with changes and adjustments from 2012 in ALL CAPS):
COOLERS (Styrofoam coolers and ice available at infield purchase points at prices comparable to those at off-track retailers);
CANS, glass bottles or containers;
CAMCORDERS;
CAMERAS WITH DETACHABLE LENSES
CAMERAS WITH LENSES MORE THAN SIX INCHES IN LENGTH;
TRIPODS;
PURSES LARGER THAN 12 INCHES IN ANY DIMENSION;
Pop up and patron tents, no poles or stakes of any kind;
Grills;
Alcoholic beverages;
Thermoses;
Backpacks;
Luggage (includes briefcases);
Duffel bags;
Wagons;
Umbrellas;
Weapons (including knives).
FIREWORKS;
NOISEMAKERS AND AIR HORNS;
LASER LIGHTS AND POINTERS;
MACE, PEPPER SPRAY OR OTHER PERSONAL DEFENSE SPRAYS.
Items permitted for carry-in by patrons on Oaks and Derby Days include (with changes and adjustments from 2012 in ALL CAPS):
Purses, but NONE LARGER THAN 12 INCHES IN ANY DIMENSION (all subject to search);
Baby/diaper bags – ONLY IF ACCOMPANIED BY A CHILD (all subject to search);
SMALL CAMERAS, BUT NONE EQUIPPED WITH DETACHABLE LENSES OR LENSES MORE THAN 6 INCHES;
Food items in clear plastic bags (maximum size 18” X 18” - no trash bags – limit of two bags per person);
“Box” lunches in clear plastic bags or containers (maximum size 18” X 18” - no trash bags);
Sunscreen (non-glass containers only);
Small personal music systems, radios and televisions (no boomboxes)
(the list continued) …
Boomboxes 
Talk about old skool!
The enhanced camera restriction is beyond belief as my i-phone isn’t going to be able to take a shot worth a damn at any race track grandstand. I see a bigger issue with that then the backpack ruling. Do they really think people will get this news before showing up? Hopefully CD will be in for an exceedingly rude awakening when a wealth patron is brushed away …
I think it is a good idea and expect them to do the same or similar for Preakness. That said, I do have a nice camera that shoots HD video and has a zoom lens that is not detachable so it would be allowed. It is a Sony Cyber Shot if you want to do some last minute shopping!
I think it’s a good idea as well, and it’s not like it was not announced in a timely fashion on the national news.
But if you prefer to potentially stand next to one and get both legs blown off, it’s up to you.
I prefer to stay away from big crowds…
Backpacks are listed in lowercase as such they were already on the banned list from last year along with briefcases, duffel bags, and weapons.
The expansion for this year really is just the purse size, fireworks (duh!), laser pointer (same), and the camera restrictions. With the latter, the camera with a detachable lens has nothing to do with security. Nothing. Nada.
I can bring my EOS onto any flight in America, can walk into the White House with it, took it into Buckingham Palace, you can stand next to the Pope with one, etc. There is absolutely noooo security threat whatsoever. If there was you certainly couldn’t bring it on a flight.
Add to that you can bring it to Churchill Downs the following day after the Derby without a peep. For that you have to question what CD is really worried about with precluding cameras.
Not only are backpacks a good way to smuggle things, with big totes, briefcases, and especially duffles and things like rolling luggage (which some people use in lieu of backpacks), those take up room in a crowd.
We also don’t like large bags at the casino because people use them to smuggle in outside alcohol (which is confiscated once we spot it–not just to make money off the beverage service, but to control the amount the patron’s consuming. We can’t cut them off if they have a Camel Back full of beer or the bag from box wine in their oversize purse! And yes, both have happened.) Given alcoholic beverages are on the ban list, cutting out large bags cuts down on the ways people can smuggle it in.
And of course since for security they’d have to search every large bag coming in, just forbidding them speeds up the security line, which benefits CD and their patrons.
Easiest way to smuggle in alcohol is to wear a long flowy skirt and tape IV bags filled with the good stuff to your legs. The alcohol bans are stupid because they will serve you until you pass out, they just want to make sure they get all the money for it. I get it at a casino, but its not like the bartenders can keep track of the infield crowd.
Or you can try these -
http://www.hideyourbooze.com/sneakyshorts.html
LOL I found out about these items through my job - we have a contract with the TSA and apparently some terrorist had proposed slipping explosives on a plane wearing Sneaky Shorts. Our job is to create a training program to help screeners spot them (without stripping people hopefully haha).
ALso there is a bra you can fill with booze - lost the website for that one, they were called “Wine Racks” LOL.
