LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Lewis Grant lost his job nearly a year ago, but that didn't stop him from going to America's most famous horse race. The unemployed auto worker staked out a spot on the Churchill Downs infield Saturday, scraping together enough money to have a good time at the Kentucky Derby.

"You've still got to do little things for yourself," said Grant, 36, of Shelbyville, Ky. "You cut back where you can, but there's just some things that you're not willing to give up."

Money flowed like mint juleps on a cool, overcast day as the massive crowd assembled for the 135th Run for the Roses angled for their own economic stimulus at Churchill's betting windows. Race fans like Debbie Oberle shrugged off the nation's stubborn recession and spent freely while soaking in the festive scene.

"I'm keeping the economy going, said Oberle, 51, of Walton Hills, Ohio, who was betting with "zeal" and had already bought $150 worth of souvenirs. "This is my first time here, and I'm going to enjoy it."

This year's Derby featured its usual glitz as women sported snazzy dresses and brightly plumed hats. Celebrities paraded along a red carpet entrance. But the revelry also unfolded against the backdrop of a dramatic U.S. economic slowdown, and the anxiety of a worldwide outbreak of swine flu.

Don Meier, 55, of Louisville, said he was taking "commonsense precautions" against the illness such as washing his hands, but he wasn't going to let relentless publicity about the virus hamper his 35th straight Derby.

"I'm not going to stay in a bunker somewhere," he said, "I'm still going to go out."

The sluggish economy was a bigger concern for fans like Grant, who was more restrained with his money.

Grant, a Derby regular since 2001, put himself on a tight budget. Last year, when still employed with Ford Motor Co., Grant plunked down $600 on Derby Day wagers and amassed a big beer tab.

This time, with no job prospects on the immediate horizon, he put a strict $150 limit on wagers.

"That's from gifts from people — birthdays and Christmas and just what I scraped and saved," he said.

Grant, draped in festive beads, already had plans for any big winning tickets.

"I would pay off some more bills," he said.

Meier was among fans who packed a cooler with sandwiches, cookies and soft drinks.

"It's kind of a low-budget operation," he said.

Churchill lifted its Derby ban on coolers in the infield for the first time since 2001. The track prohibited coolers for its biggest day after reviewing security policies following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Churchill Downs also announced several months ago that it was freezing most Derby ticket prices this year as a result of the struggling economy.

Street performer Nahru Lampkin, 47, of Detroit, set up drums in the infield to play for tips. He expected less money than in the past.

"I expect it to be off by 20 percent," he said.

Lifelong horse racing fan Charles Pelley, 70, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., was fulfilling a promise made to his father by attending his first Derby. Pelley said the economy was no factor.

"I lost 40 percent of what I've worked for my whole life last year," Pelley said. "That didn't matter to me. It's just less for my kids. You can't take it with you."

Tracy Beebe, a 37-year-old stay-at-home mom from Winston-Salem, N.C., said her family was celebrating her father's 30th trip to the Derby. Beebe said the sour economy had only a minimal effect on their trip.

"We're still betting on every race, but we're not betting as much," she said.

Linda Elliott said her Derby debut wouldn't be inhibited by money concern. Elliott, attending the race with a group of friends, wagered several hundred dollars the day before at Churchill Downs, and came out slightly ahead. She planned to bet with gusto again Saturday.

She was cutting back on one indulgence, though. Elliott sipped a mint julep at the track early Friday morning and had another later in the day.

It turned out to be "one too many," she confessed, and had switched to coffee Derby morning.

The 57-year-old Canton, Ohio, woman was fulfilling a long dream.

"It's awesome," Elliott said. "I think everybody needs to do this, once in their life."

Associated Press writers Joe Biesk, Malcolm C. Knox and Janet Cappiello Blake contributed to this report.