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

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.