Preakness Stakes for Doug O’Neill and I’ll Have Another

I’ll Have Another waking up from a nap

2012 Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another woke up after an early morning nap in his stall on the backside of Churchill Downs.  He was shaking off the sawdust on his head and mane, he looked very comfortable and ready to take on the world.

Everyone there could tell tell that I’ll Have Another was ready for his afternoon flight to Maryland.  He will start in the Preakness  Stakes at Pimlico Race Track on Saturday, May 19.  You could almost hear the chorus of the Preakness Stakes song ‘Maryland, my Maryland’ (the state song of Maryland) around Doug O’Neill’s barn.

Trainer Doug O’Neill said “I am going to stay up here as long as we can. I don’t want it to end. If I could push the button to slow it down, I would have. It is just so cool.”

“The colt looks great this morning,” O’Neill said.  “He licked his feed tub, was jogging sound and had great energy. He looks fantastic.”

Seven of the Kentucky Derby runners are considering to the Preakness. Decisions on whether they will compete at Pimlico Race Track are expected to be made by owners and trainers during the next week.

The group of runners that could continue on from the Derby on to the Preakness Stakes includes Bodemeister, 2nd; Went the Day Well, 4th; Creative Cause, 5th; Liaison, 6th; betting favorite Union Rags, 7th; Hansen, 9th and Optimizer, 11th.

There are seven possible new faces we may see starting in the Preakness: Cozzetti, trained by Dale Romans, who saddled the 2011 Preakness winner, Shackleford; the top two finishers in the Derby Trial, Hierro and Paynter; Jerome Stakes winner The Lumber Guy and Sagamore Farm’s stakes-placed colt Tiger Walk, Pretension and Brimstone Island, the winner and runner-up from the Canonero II Stakes Saturday at Pimlico.

Canonero II was a Venezuelan-based colt who won the 1971 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Trainer Juan Arias, jockey Gustavo Avila and Pedro Baptista, son of the owner, were on hand to present the trophy to the winning connections.  In 2009, Canonero II’s jockey joined Kentucky Derby Tours to see his first Derby since winning the race.  He was honored in a ceremony at the Galt House Hotel where he added his handprints to the exhibit of winning Kentucky Derby jockeys.

Posted in 2012 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2012 Kentucky Derby winner …What a day for I’ll Have Another!

Crowds in Clubhouse stands

The warm temperatures only made the crowd at Churchill Downs that much more excited for the “Big Race”.  There were some very exciting photo finishes in the earlier races which added to the build up as we all looked to the Derby.

The crowd roared as Bodemeister and I’ll Have Another hooked up in the stretch on 2012 Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs.  When they hit the wire, the Santa Anita Derby winner, I’ll Have Another was victorious!

Kentucky Derby winning jockey Mario Gutioerrez give a fist pump on his way to the winners circle

The photos on the right were taken from our First Floor Clubhouse box seats.  As you can see, our Kentucky Derby tickets are right in the middle of all the action.

Jockey  Mario Gutierrez had a big smile as he gave a fist pump to the crowd and headed to the winners circle after crossing the finish line first.  Last year, the 25 year old from Veracruz, Mexico watched the Kentucky Derby on television in Canada. ”Like all jockeys, we all dream that one day … I would be in the Kentucky Derby,” Gutierrez said. “At the time, I was at Hastings, and of course, like a joke, I had the dream.”

Paul Reddam on rightWe were at the backside of Churchill Downs this morning when  I’ll Have Another’s owner Paul Reddam to stop by to see how his horse was doing.  He posed for photos with people at the barns.  Trainer Doug O’Neill did interviews and talked to everyone between checking on I’ll Have Another. For more photos and Derby doings see our website at www.kentuckyderbytours.com  We will be adding them soon!

Posted in 2012 Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, Horse Racing, Kentucky Derby | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kentucky Derby Party Mint Julep Cupcakes

Did you decide to have a 2012 Kentucky Derby Party at home?  How about Mint Julep Cupcakes? We had a fabulous tour of the bottling and warehouses of Four Roses Bourbon on Wednesday.  The people at Four Roses Bourbon mentioned that many folks were asking them for Mint Julep Cupcake recipes.  We thought a Mint Julep Cupcake recipe would be fun.  Goodie Girls in Glendale, California used these recipes in an episode of Cupcake Wars.

Cupcake Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon mint extract
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 3/4 cups flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 3/4 cup bourbon (or whiskey)
  • 1/4 cup clear Crème de Menthe

Bourbon and Mint Frosting Ingredients:

  • 1 Cup Butter – Room Temperature
  • 1/3 cup Bourbon (or whiskey)
  • ¼ cup Green Crème de Menthe
  • Dash of Salt
  • 4 cups Powdered Sugar

Extra Ingredients:

  • A little extra Bourbon for Soaking
  • Fresh Mint for Garnish (or a chocolate mint)

Directions:

Cupcakes:

Pre-heat oven to 350 Degrees (F). Place 36 liners in a cupcake pans. Whisk salt, baking powder, and 1 3/4 cups of the flour. Cream butter, sugar, eggs, and extracts in a large mixing bowl until creamy (make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl). Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Add the milk and liquors to the batter, then the rest of the flour (1 cup). Mix as little as possible until the batter comes together. Fill paper lined cupcake pan with large ice cream scoop. Bake at 350 degrees (F) for 18 to 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans. Place on wire rack and cool completely before frosting.

When cooled and before frosting, brush extra bourbon over the tops of all cupcakes to give a little added kick of bourbon.

Bourbon and Mint Frosting:

With paddle attachment, cream butter until smooth. Add salt and 2 cups powdered sugar. Slowly beat in until smooth, add Bourbon and Crème de Menthe and mix on low speed. Add remaining sugar until smooth. Adjust sugar for consistency variances depending on desired outcome of frosting. Frost. Garnish with fresh mint leaf or chocolate mint mold. I also like to add a little green disco dust to make it glitter!

Next year, you can join Kentucky Derby Tours and enjoy the cupcakes at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

Posted in 2012 Kentucky Derby | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2012 Kentucky Derby info

Churchill Downs starting gate

The Kentucky Derby is a Grade 1 Stakes race for 3 year old thoroughbred  colts, held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May.  For the two weeks before the race, the Kentucky Derby Festival holds events including bed races, fireworks extravaganzas, and parades.

We hope you have your Kentucky Derby tickets as the event is sold out!  Next year you should leave the hassle to us and enjoy the Derby with Kentucky Derby Tours!

The race is one and a quarter miles.  Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds and fillies 121 pounds.  The race is known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” or “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports” for its approximate duration, and is also called “The Run for the Roses” for the blanket of roses draped over the winner. It is the first leg of the and is followed by the Preakness Stakes (2 weeks later), then the Belmont Stakes (five weeks after the Preakness). The attendance at the Kentucky Derby ranks first in North America and usually surpasses the attendance of all other stakes racing days including the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup.

NBC, HRTV,  and TVG will have television coverage.  Here are the post positions, horse, jockey, trainer and morning line odds.

Derby_entries_posts_odds_2012_medium

#21 – My Adonis is an alternate entry

Posted in 2012 Kentucky Derby, NBC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2012 Kentucky Oaks has 14 filles going for the Lillies

Grace Hall, Eden’s Moon and Karlovy Vary, plus local favorite On Fire Baby top a full field of 3-year-old fillies entered in Friday’s 138th running of the $1 million Kentucky Oaks to be run at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.

The Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs has 15 fillies going for the Lillies in a 12-race program that begins at 10:30 a.m. (ET)and features five other stakes. Plum Pretty, who won the 2011 Kentucky Oaks will make her 2012 horse racing debut on Friday at Churchill Downs in ther La Trionne Stakes.

Previous Kentucky Oaks winning trainers with entries in the Oaks are Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, D. Wayne Lukas and Larry Jones.

Churchill Downs  will again be aglow in pink again for the running of the Kentucky Oaks -as the Oaks welcomes a new beneficiary in Stand Up To Cancer (“SU2C”) to raise vital funds and awareness for cancer research.  Patrons are urged to wear pink, the official color of the Oaks, on this special day that continues its Ladies First” focus and ongoing outreach effort on women’s health issues. The Oaks is the third most attended day of racing in the U.S., only after the Derby and Preakness.

Kentuky Oaks Day coverage begins this Friday at 9:30am on HRTV.

Post Position/Horse/Jockey/Odds
1. On Fire Baby/Joe Johnson/4-1
2. Grace Hall/Javier Castellano/5-2
3. Summer Applause/Garrett Gomez/15-1
4. Eden’s Moon/Martin Garcia/12-1
5. Hard Not to Like/Robby Albarado/20-1
6. Broadway’s Alibi/John Velazquez/4-1
7. Sacristy/Mike Smith/50-1
8. Jemima’s Pearl/Joe Talamo/10-1
9. Believe You Can/Rosie Napravnik/10-1
10. And Why Not/Julien Leparoux/15-1
11. Karlovy Vary/James Graham/20-1
12. Colonial Empress/Corey Nakatani/50-1
13. Amie’s Dini/Jon Court/10-1
14. Yara/Jesus Castanon/30-1
AE- Oaks Lily/Rafael Bejarano/50-1

Posted in 2012 Kentucky Oaks, Churchill Downs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

TV schedule of coverage for Kentucky Derby is over 27 hours

Bill and Sandy Boland at the 'Gallop to Glory'

Nowadays, we take TV coverage of the Kentucky Derby for granted.  Up until 1950, people listened to the Kentucky Derby on radio, saw it on Movietone News at the movies, or read about it the next day in the newspapers.

While not many homes had television sets in 1950, NBC affiliate WAVE-TV in Louisville, Ky., provided the first television coverage of the Kentucky Derby.  Those lucky enough to own a TV set watched Middleground with William ’Bill’ Boland on board win the 1950 Kentucky Derby with Hill Prince second.  Imagine seeing the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on television when you had only heard previous Kentucky Derbys on radio.

This year, the NBC Sports Group will offer nearly 15 hours of coverage around the Kentucky Derby, beginning with the Derby draw May 2 at 4 p.m. ET and horse racing fans are excited.

Derby Day on May 5 will feature more than eight hours of coverage on NBC and NBC Sports Network, formerly Versus.

Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who had worked for ABC/ESPN when those networks were involved in Thoroughbred coverage, will join the NBC team on Derby Day. Bailey, who won two Kentucky Derbys, will team up with fellow Hall of Famer Gary Stevens, who accounted for three Derby victories.

With the May 19 Preakness Stakes and the June 9 Belmont Stakes also on the NBC family of networks, the NBC Sports Group will account for a total of 27 ½ hours of Triple Crown coverage.

The Derby will also be streamed live on NBCSports.com and feature four camera angles unique to the online presentation. Bailey will answer fans’ questions and offer analysis.

On a side note – Kentucky Derby Tours was fortunate to have William Bill’ Boland and his wife Sandy on our trip in 2007.  Derby week Bill Boland and Ray York (Kentucky Derby winning jockey in 1954) added their handprints in the ‘Gallop to Glory’ exhibit at the Galt House Hotel.

Posted in Kentucky Derby, NBC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Canonero II honored

The featured race at Pimlico Race Track on 2012 Kentucky Derby Day will be called be the $75,000 Canonero II Stakes for 3-year-olds. Canonero II is the Venezuelan-based colt won the 1971 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.   The day’s festivities will also feature a Jockey Challenge featuring four riders visiting from Venezuela competing against four from the Maryland colony.

“It is going to be a special day for the connections of Canonero II and the Maryland Jockey Club,” Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas said. “The Canonero II story was an incredible one and we thought it was a terrific idea to have a first-class celebration involving Venezuela in the first running of this race. We invited co-owner Pedro Baptista, trainer Juan Arias and jockey Gustavo Avila to be our guests and are looking forward to a terrific day.”

Avila , a Venezuelan rider, was aboard for the victories in the first two legs of the Triple Crown as well as fourth place finish in the Belmont Stakes.

The Venezuelan riders in Baltimore next Saturday will be Emisael Jaramillo, Santiago Gonzalez, Jean Carlo Rodriguez and Edgar Perez.

Jaramillo is the all-time leading jockey in Venezuela with more than 2,500 wins. He has been the leading rider at La Rinconada, the most important track in the country, for nine consecutive meets.  Gonzalez is poised to become the country’s fourth rider to reach the 2,000 win plateau. Despite being only 23-years-old, Rodriguez has more than 1,050 career winners, including victories in the Clasico Juan Antonio Paez (G1) and the Clasico Comparacion (G1) aboard Il Macchiato.  Perez, the regular rider of Venezuelan champion filly Bambera (a winner of 15 races in 17 starts and Horse of the Year honors in 2009), had 104 victories in the United States in 2010 and 2011 while riding in Florida.

Representing the Maryland colony will be Abel Castellano, Malcolm Franklin, Horacio Karamanos and Julian Pimentel.

Castellano, a native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, has more than 1,500 career winners. He arrived in Maryland in 2003 and has been a top ten rider for nearly a decade. The 22-year-old Franklin has been a member of the Maryland colony since the fall of 2006 and has been a top ten rider the last three years. Karamanos, a native of Argentina, has more than 3,000 career winners, including nearly 1,500 in the Unites States. After five years as one of the top riders on the New Jersey circuit, Pimentel moved his tack to Maryland during the summer 2006 and has been a fixture near the top of the standings.

The jockey with the most points at the end of a three-race competition will be crowned champion. The jockeys receive points for finishing first (12 points), second (6), third (4) and fourth (3) in each race. The champion jockey will earn $10,000. Other prize money: $7,000 (second), $6,000 (third), $4,000 (fourth), $2,000 (fifth) and $1,000 (sixth through eighth).  Riding assignments will be determined when the racing office draws the Derby Day program on Wednesday, May 2.

Kentucky Derby Tours helped bring Gustavo Avila Jr. to the 2009 Kentucky Derby where he placed his handprints in the ‘Gallop to Glory’ exhibit at the Galt House Hotel.  The “Gallop to Glory” exhibit has the handprints and signatures of Kentucky Derby winning jockeys.  See YouTube below for Gallop to Glory ceremony

Posted in Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The 2012 Kentucky Derby Party keeps on going and going!

The 2012 Kentucky Derby Party does not stop when the race is over.  By 7 PM Derby night, you will find that the festivities are just starting for the night.

For many, the party has just begun.  So never fear, there are still evening parties left to attend on Derby night.  Here they are:

Night of…One Race, One Winner, One Party

John Velasquez, Barry Irwin and Graham Motion at the 2011 Night of ...

The Galt House Hotel is rolling out its red carpet again to raise funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund. The “Night of…One Race. One Winner. One Party” pays tribute to the jockey’s that make Derby Day so special.

This Derby party will have celebrities, but the celebrities most admired in attendance are the 40 jockeys that come to have some well-earned fun after the glory of all their hard work. The Kentucky Derby winning jockey will be inducted into the Galt House Hotel’s “Gallop to Glory” if that jockey has not already received this esteemed honor. The jockey will place a handprint in the midst of 34 other winning jockeys.  Kentucky Derby Tours is very pleased to have been a part of this exhibit and instrumental in 10 of the jockeys who have won the Derby participating in Gallop to Glory.

Last year, Galt House Hotel raised almost $60,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, Inc. This public charity provides financial assistance to some 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Since its founding in 2006, the fund has disbursed over $3 million to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or brain injuries.

This year, Galt House Hotel hopes to raise $100,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, Inc. That money will come from a portion of the tickets purchased for the party, as well as money raised in a silent auction that will feature some highly sought-after items.

Another special treat for guests this year will be a special meet-and-greet with Ron Turcotte, the famous jockey who in 1973 became the first jockey in 25 years to win America’s Triple Crown on Secretariat. Penny Chenery, Secretariat’s owner, will be attending the Kentucky Derby this year and could possibly attend the “Night of…Party” as well. Ms. Chenery is the woman behind the success of the most magnificent horse in history. She was featured in the Disney film “Secretariat.”

Silks in the Bluegrass

Silks in the Bluegrass, on behalf of Operation Open Arms, has Honorary Chair, Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler and featured entertainment by Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals for its fourth straight year in a row. The event will occur at the Crown Plaza Hotel. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., followed by cocktails, dinner and entertainment.

Operation Open Arms, Inc. is a Louisville, Kentucky-based non-profit organization founded by Cathy and Irv Bailey that provides care for children whose mothers are incarcerated.

This year’s entertainment features Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, who first emerged on the scene in the mid-1960s (then known as The Young Rascals) and became pop rock legends with hits like Good Lovin’, A Beautiful Morning, Groovin, People Got to be Free, Mustang Sally and more. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, the group has had five #1 singles, nine top 20 singles and five top 20 albums. Felix Cavaliere enjoyed a solo career in the 1970s and reunited with other original members of the Rascals in 2010. Today, the group continues to tour the United States performing their classic hits.

Posted in 2012 Kentucky Derby, Penny Chenery, Secretariat | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro would have been 9 today

Barbaro leaving Churchill Downs for the Preakness

Today, April 29th would have been Barbaro’s 9th Birthday.  Most people have heard about Barbaro.  He won the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6, 2006.  Then tragedy struck him 2 weeks later.  As many watched in person or on TV, Barbaro suffered a breakdown, just after the start of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Barbaro was vanned to the New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania where he received state of the art treatment. We all hoped that he could one day become a stallion and his babies would let us see a little bit of him again.

Immediately, there was a flood of public interest in Barbaro’s condition, and the Preakness tragedy was a major national story for news agencies that normally only give horse racing the bare bones news coverage. People from all over the world sent cards, letters and flowers to Barbaro.  When Dr. Dean Richardson, Barbaro’s surgeon conducted a press conference after the first surgery, nearly 100 members of the media were there.

In July, he developed laminitis in his left rear leg. He underwent five further operations, and his prognosis varied during an exceptionally long stay in the Equine Intensive Care Unit at the New Bolton Center. While his right hind leg eventually healed, a final risky procedure on it proved futile because the colt soon developed further laminitis in both front legs. His veterinarians and owners concluded that he could not be saved, and Barbaro was euthanized on January 29, 2007.

So many people felt they had a stake in Barbaro’s recovery. The 2006 Kentucky Derby winner’s fight for survival was also a source of inspiration for many.

Barbaro was a third-generation descendant of Mr. Prospector, and as such Barbaro was related to many Triple Crown hopefuls of his time including Big Browm, Afleet Alex, Smarty Jones, Funny Cide, and Fusaichi Pegasus.

Michael Matz, Barbaro’s trainer will saddle Union Rags in the 2012 Kentucky Derby.  Many people have asked him to compare Union Rags and Barbaro.  He finally said, “I think this colt (Union Rags) is a bit more laidback than Barbaro.  Barbaro was very professional in what he did once you got the saddle on him. When you got the rider on him, he couldn’t be any better.  This horse (Union Rags) is bigger and more mature than Barbaro was as a three-year-old at this point.”

We wish Union Rags and Michael Matz good luck in the Derby.

Posted in 2012 Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Derby winners | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VIP Kentucky Derby Eve Party or should we say Parties!

2012 VIP Kentucky Derby Eve Party, where shall we go…Unbridled Eve, The Julep, Barnstable Brown Party, or The Rose Ball?  While it is really 2012 Kentucky Oaks night, everyone is thinking Kentucky Derby.

These parties not only show everyone a great time, but the parties raise much needed funds for various charities.  We know that no one can say that they cannot find anything to do on Derby Eve.

Many Kentucky Derby Tours participants join in the fun.  Here are THE Derby Eve Parties:

Unbridled Eve

New on the scene is the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala, a one-of-a-kind celebration benefiting the children’s charity, Blessings in a Backpack. Held at The Galt House Hotel.  This party will feature a red carpet celebrity walk, specialty drink bars, world-class silent and online auctions, lavish decorations, live entertainment from Alabama founder Randy Owen and his band along with a sumptuous dinner from Galt House Chef Brian Riddle.

Actor-rapper Ice-T and his flamboyant wife, Coco, NFL Hall of Famer Warren Moon,  actors Kate Flannery and Oscar Nunez of The Office, Dennis Haysbert, Quinton Aaron, Scott Grimes, reality TV personalities Bob Guiney of The Bachelor, Vicki Gunvalson of The Real Housewives of Orange County,  poker champions Josh Arieh and Robert Williamson III , singer Randy Owen of Alabama, author Nora Roberts, comedian Ron White, along with NFL players Michael Bush, Brandon Lloyd, Jason Campbell, Rock Cartwright, Thomas Hoard, Darren McFadden, Benjamin Watson and Kamerion Wimbley.

The proceeds are expected to supply more than 1,250 school kids with backpacks full of food every weekend for a school year from Blessings in a Backpack.  Proceeds also benefit The Les Turner ALS Foundation and to combat Prostate Cancer.

The Julep

Formerly known as the Julep Ball, this event is a unique evening with food, cocktails and superb entertainment. The Julep hosts local and national business leaders, horse industry professionals and celebrities from sports, music, cinema and television to help raise money for the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville.

The evening will feature a celebrity red carpet entrance, cocktail reception featuring Early Times Mint Julep and Brown-Forman products, dinner, dancing and silent auction. The scientists and patients at the forefront of cancer treatment and delivery will be honored and saluted for their efforts.

Held at the Galt House Hotel, The Julep sees more than 1,000 people from across the country attended this sold-out event each year.

This year, The Julep plans to bring the focus back to simple elegance. Adopting a “black tie optional” outlook, guests are welcome to come to the event straight from the track without having to change into a tuxedo or ball gown.

Proceeds from The Julep help the James Graham Brown Cancer Center continue its mission of finding answers to cancer. Since 2005 more than $1.5 million in net proceeds from the center’s Derby Eve event have gone directly to improve the lives of cancer.

The Barnstable Brown party

Barnstable Home

Over the years, 24 to be exact, this annual fund-raising party, hosted by twin sisters Patricia Barnstable Brown and Priscilla “Cyb” Barnstable, has raised millions of dollars for diabetes research and care.  Diabetes killed Patricia’s husband, Dr. David Brown, in 2003, and in 2008 the sisters and their mother founded the Barnstable Brown Diabetes & Obesity Center at the University of Kentucky.  Some of the money raised also goes toward diabetes research at the University of Louisville.  The private event is held at the Barnstable home in Louisville.

The sisters, cheerleaders at the University of Kentucky, became famous as the Doublemint Twins in ads for the Wrigley Company’s chewing gum in the 1970s. Patricia had been Miss Kentucky and the sisters also starred in the short-lived science-fiction television show “Quark.”

In addition to the up-close-and-personal encounters with actors, singers and other celebrities, you’ll also be entertained by dancing.  The released guest list includes singer Cyndi Lauper, who is the grand marshal of the Derby Festival’s Pegasus Parade, on May 3, Ashton Kucher, Late Show With David Letterman band leader Paul Shaffer, show host extraordinaire and former N’Sync member Joey Fatone, country superstars Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean , country group The Band Perry,  Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry and Wynonna Judd.

The Rose Ball

The Derby Eve Gala, now called The Rose Ball was originated and organized by Joyce King Jennings, who introduced the party into the Kentucky Derby scene in 1995. From year one, the Gala was a tremendous success — a posh event in an elegant setting, with fabulous food, lavish décor and spectacular, electrifying entertainment. The Derby Eve Gala has entertained corporate VIP’s and dignitaries from all over the world. It is the most impressive party for hosting Derby guests in elegance and style; and it is the perfect occasion for companies to entertain friends or clients, while linking their names with a first class, stellar event!

While other Derby-eve events are known for their throngs of star-studded celebrities, this party will be sure to please its devoted crowd with fabulous gourmet food, show-stopping entertainment, just plain fun and “kick up your heels” energy.

The event will be held at the Seelbach Hotel and proceeds from the Rose Ball benefit the American Lung Association.

Posted in 2012 Kentucky Derby, 2012 Kentucky Oaks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment