Thousands of pool players travel to Southern Indiana every year for the Derby City Classic. This annual event offers a variety competitions such as 9-Ball Banks, One Pocketet and the BIGFOOT 10 ball challenge.
The Derby City Classic first took place in 1998. Greg Sullivan, the tournament's creator was a longtime fan of Johnston City Hustlers Jamboree from the 1960s. Sullivan partnered up with the Pantone Company to discover the optimal color for pool cloth. Pantone Company's testing eventually led to Tournament Blue becoming the dominant color in professional tourneys.
The second event was held in 2003. The World Pool Alliance sponsored and hosted the tournament that featured a variety of top players. The tournament began with nine ball banks. After that, the one pocket and then the BIGFOOT-10-ball challenge followed. The tournament was held at Caesars Southern Indiana Casino in Elizabeth. The event had a number vendors and ring games. There was also cash game. The tournament took place on 53 9-foot Diamond tables.
The tournament featured a number of players who were in the field for their first Derby City Classic appearance. Apart from the tournament there were special events including the Diamond Ten Foot challenge. This was a competition for pros. The challenge is played on five-foot-by-ten-foot tables. The winner is awarded $16,000 and the winners of the nine-ball banking and one-pocket contests each get $8,000. BIGFOOT's 10-ball challenge was the first event in the Derby City Classic. It is a small field with professionals competing for the title BIGFOOT champion.
The third event was held in 2006. This tournament saw many players who were playing in their first Derby City Classic event. Corey Deuel Dennis Grabe, Lee Vann, and Lee Vann all performed well at the 9-ball Bank and One-pocket events. The other players were not quite as successful. Darren Appleton did well enough to place third in the One-Pocket. He also utilized his algorithm well for the Derby Cup, earning him a third position finish.
2015 was the last year of the event. The tournament featured a number of players who have been in the field for their first Derby City event. Corey Deuel (Darren Appleton), and Lee Vann were all successful in their first Derby City Classic. Joshua Filler and Darren Appleton did well enough in the one-pocket to finish third. Efren, Mika and Shane VanBoening were there as well.
The Derby City Classic is an annually held pool tournament at Caesars Southern Indiana Casino Elizabeth. There are many competitions, including one-pocket, nine-ball banks and the BIGFOOT 10-ball challenge. The event takes place in January. Tickets will be available beginning January 20th. Tickets can be purchased through the Derby City Classic office located at the Caesars Southern Indiana Casino and Hotel. To purchase a ticket you must present a valid ID.