Let’s Get Down and Derby

“Let’s get Down and Derby – May the Horse Be with You” attracted nearly 200 attendees got into the spirit of the day by wearing regal finery with elaborate hats and seersucker suits - Marina and Rob Ascarate were standouts!

The theme began unfolding with the cheery greetings from the St. Anthony High School student-volunteer guides, who wore festive jockey-style hats as they guided guests to “The Finish Line Private Dining Room.” There, they were treated as celebrities when posing for photos, taken by Caught in the Moment photography.

The Kentucky Derby milieu was underscored in every detail of Southern traditions, including mint tuleps. Guests dined on tables decorated with an elaborate red-and-white rose centerpiece that showcased dramatic ironwork horse-head profiles above horse-head-shaped bottles of Cabell tequila.

Karen Cobb of Kacey’s Karaoke kept the atmosphere lively as guests participated in fun activities included a silent auction, whiskey and bourbon tastings, and a wine pull. Then there was a parade of elaborate hats worn by guests, with the winner going home with a horse-head-shaped bottle of tequila.

Great enthusiasm and audience participation was shown during the “Spouses Race to Win, Place or Show.” Handlers carrying authentic feedbags collected “ticket-bets” on the husband-and-wife teams: “Blazing Saddlers,” with handler Val Uyeda; “Ole Blu,” Cathy King; “Son of a Biscuit,” Angi Burkard; “Mighty Mark,” Claire Guillen; “Run Ron Run,” Marianne Gastelum; and “Dapper Don,” Bobbie Fesler.

Zack Krone, the lively and humorous auctioneer, had the audience bidding against themselves and their neighbors, and seemingly loving every minute of it. Laughter reigned with his innovative approach to separate the audience from their wallets.

It was an evening where everyone went home as winners — with more than $70,000 raised for the Stramski Children’s Development Center. Dr. Gary Feldman, director of the center, thanked guests for their participation and introduced a brief film depicting the care the children receive at the center, which helps with developmental delays, autism behavior and learning challenges, among other needs. MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center was represented by Rob Gonsalus, Dr. Robert Nagourney and Iona Pal (who donated two of her paintings to the auction).