Accidental Mama on the Derby Red Carpet
~~~~~By Sarah Lolley
- Derby Girls Beth Stowe-Sparks & Sarah Lolley
Once upon a Derby there was a little celebrity party where many country singers came to celebrate with the Doublemint Twins before the big day at the races. Now 25 years later after the first Brown Barnstable Gala, if you are a celebrity you get booked to appear at least three or more red carpets a night.
The Unbridled Eve event at the Galt House hosted by the York Sisters, Tammy York Day and Tonya York Dees, are in their second year with the event that chose “Blessings in a Backpack”, a charity that gives local children lunches and school supplies.
York Sisters, Tonya and Tammy, host Unbridled Eve
Along with L.A. celebrities like Krysten Ritter, Jason Biggs, Lauren Conrad, Ryan Kwanten, William Fichtner, and Jennifer Tilly, the NCAA Basketball Champions from University of Louisville like Peyton Siva incited hoots and hollers from the audience. (Tidbit: Last year it was the University of Kentucky making the party circuit rounds, but Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh knocked out their hopes this year of getting the same treatment.)
Actress Jennifer Tilly at Unbridled Eve.
If there was an event where all walks of athletes, reality stars, musicians, and champion poker players frolic amongst the horse owners who fly in from Dubai, this is it. “Those parties are as much a part of Derby tradition as singing My Old Kentucky Home before the race,” said Churchill Downs Vice President John Asher.
The Julep Ball decided to rent out the KFC Yum! Center arena to accommodate more people this year. Their event always includes a roaster of reality television stars like the cast of Big Brother Season 14, which includes Louisville native Wil Heuser, known for his blonde mane.
Performing for the parties were Kate Hudson, Miranda Lambert, Kid Rock, Gladys Knight, Jo Dee Messina along with “The Voice” contestants Nicholas David and Angie Johnson.
Even Steelers Charlie Batch was listed as a guest for Maxim Magazine’s Fillies & Stallions Kentucky Derby Party. Opening late in a warehouse atmosphere, Maxim Magazine girls posed and strutted alongside football player after football player. The tickets to get in could cost you $500, but the Maker’s Mark Bourbon was free flowing.
N’Sync member Lance Bass says his life is “manic”.
The fastest race in sports has managed to prolong the excitement by lighting up the track for dining during night racing and creating more star-studded events to attend. Then there is the race.
In the past four years, Churchill Downs have stepped up the celebration list with concerts on Opening Night at the Race and Taste of Derby. “It’s becoming a Derby week celebration, not just the Derby and Oaks,” said Asher. Since the track installed night racing lighting they have a big Opening Night celebration with dinner and dancing.
On the Thursday before the Oaks, about 30,000 people showed up to wear their hats and finery before the ticket price jumps from $40 to $400. (This year’s Derby Day attendance was 151,616 compared to last year’s highest record 165,307.) The Taste of Derby in its third year sold out early this year, an event that brings in chefs from famous racing tracks to create an evening for your taste buds the Thursday before the Oaks.
The security measures for this year’s 139th Running of the Roses returned back to its post-9-11 status after the Boston Bombings. This year even purses had to measure 12 inches in either direction to enter the track. Churchill Downs Vice President John Asher said, “We have no evidence of a direct threat, but the objective is getting people through the gates efficiently.”
Jean Cruguet, 1977 Triple Crown jockey, predicted Orb as the Derby winner.
Subsequently, the red carpet security was amped up too with many revelers complaining that their star-gazing was hindered. However, this year a lot was hampered down after constant rain inspired the plastic bags on everyone’s hats.
Celebrating with contemporary art style, 21c Museum Hotel dangled acrobats from the ceiling and fig leaf clad models to recreate the Garden of Eden. Guests were encouraged to go “Apple Biting”. The museum boasts many cutting edge and controversial artists like Michael Combs who mounts deer heads with fetish style leather skin.
Also celebrating an anniversary is Secretariat’s 1973 Derby run. Diane Lane came out to celebrate at the Barnstable Party commenting that she didn’t learn about betting from starring in the 2010 film about the horse and its owner Penny Tweedy. She was going to have to get her tips elsewhere.
Washington Redskin quarterback Robert Lee Griffin III at Maxim Fillies and Stallions Derby Party
None of the stars that made their amateur predictions on the red carpet could stand up to Jean Cruguet, who rode Triple Crown Winner Seattle Slew in 1977. When asked on the Unbridled Red Carpet if we might have a Triple Crown winner this race Cruguet said, “You will have three or four good horses, but I don’t see the champion to win all three. The champion must come from behind.” When asked about his favorite horse for the Derby, he nailed it. “I like Orb. He is going to come from behind.” This mama got the best tip.
Camera man Robbie Sparks getting frisky at Maxim Fillies and Stallions
Stay tuned for the video footage. Yeehaw!
Acrobats hang from the ceiling at 21c Museum Hotel’s Derby Garden Party
Maker’s Mark rose bar at Maxim Fillies and Stallions
The Julep Ball at the KFC Yum! Center
