The Los Angeles Derby Prelude Party, a kickoff to the Kentucky Derby, was celebrated Thursday Jan 12th.

Taking place on the rooftop pool deck at The London West Hollywood, this invitation only cocktail party combined all of the best Kentucky Derby and Bluegrass traditions – fine Bourbon, music, fashion and Southern hospitality and all benefiting a great cause – Blessings in a Backpack.  Blessings in a Backpack is a unique program designed to feed elementary school children whose families qualify for the federal Free and Reduced Price Meal program, and have little to no food on the weekends.

In addition to wonderful Southern hospitality, this preview event, presented by Derby hostesses- The York Sisters- Tonya York Dees and Tammy York Day, featured a packed red carpet with actors from both film and television as well as athletes and musicians.  Such celebrities included   Kate Flannery, Gary Cole, Aimee Garcia, Ken Divitian, Doris Roberts, Charlotte Ross, Ashlan Gorse, Warren Moon, John Salley, Alexander Nifong, A.C. Green,  Bob Guiney, Scott Grimes, Brandon Jenner, David Sutcliffe, Chantal Sutherland, D.B. Sweeney, Neal McDonough, Claude McKnight, Ajay Mehta, Omar Miller, David Flores, Iva Franks, Willie Garson, Willie Gault, Marcus Allen, Christopher Atkins, Lydia Cornell, Brenda Epperson, Leah Felder,  Jason Gedrick, Aldis Hodge, Jennifer Hoffman, Chris Jacobs, Cris Judd, Luke Kleintank, Bonnie-Jill Laflin, Kate Linder, Kate Mansi, William Mapother, JerryMathers, Dean Norris, Oscar Nunez, John O’Hurley, Christina Oliveras, Bill Paxton, Laffit Pincay Jr, Laffit Pincay III, Aaron Spears, Gary Stevens, Linda Thompson,  Goran Visnjic, Ron White, Fred Willard, Arianne Zuker and more.

Guests enjoyed a silent auction and musical performances by Bob Guiney and Scott Grimes (who sang such tunes as “Man in the Mirror” and “Walking in Memphis”) as well as Brandon Jenner and Leah Felder who will sing ”My Old Kentucky Home.”

The Derby will place on the first Saturday in May (May 5, 2012) and The Derby Eve Rose Gala in Louisville on May 4, 2012.

The Los Angeles Derby Prelude Party is presented by Derby hostesses - The York Sisters – Tonya York Dees and Tammy York Day and presenting sponsor, Humana Vitality.  Premiere sponsors include Cigna, Churchill Downs, Pacific Wine and Spirits and Barry Wooley Designs.  Special thanks to PolarPointe.com, Red7e, Style Icon, York Management, Inc, Troy Hanson, Century Mortgage, McCarthy Strategic Solutions, Vintage Printing and Galt House Hotel.

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