x
Breaking News
More () »

Down the Stretch with Sherlene Shanklin: It's time for Kentucky Derby 145

Here's a list of the celebrities planning to attend

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Down the Stretch with Sherlene Shanklin:  It’s the countdown to Derby 145 held on the first Saturday in May.  There will be plenty of events to attend but the question everyone seems to ask me “What celebrity will travel to Louisville to be apart of the celebration?”  So, I create a list along with their confirmed event.  If you’re having a Kentucky Derby event and you have a special guest attending, please send it to me so I can announce. 

Here's some of the celebrities heading to the Bluegrass State in order in which I received them.   

Usher Raymond-  Trifecta Gala (performing)

Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Singer Usher attends a special screening of "The Martian" during the New York Film Festival on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds-  Urban League Gala (performing)

Tank-  Darrell Griffith Foundation “Experience” (performing)  

After 7-  Annual Derby Gala 100 Black Men of Louisville (performing)

Angel McCoughtry- WNBA Atlanta Dream-Skills Camp (youth) & Sneaker Ball 

Credit: NBA Awards Show
Celebrity arrivals at the 2018 NBA Awards Show from Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, USA. Pictured: Angel McCoughtry Ref: SPL5006602 250618 NON-EXCLUSIVE Picture by: Eugene Powers / SplashNews.com Splash News and Pictures Los Angeles: 310-821-2666 New York: 212-619-2666 London: 0207 644 7656 Milan: +39 02 4399 8577 photodesk@splashnews.com World Rights, (Newscom TagID: spnphotosnine169423.jpg) [Photo via Newscom]

Asia Durr- WNBA New York Liberty-Skills Camp (youth)

Credit: AP
Louisville guard Asia Durr raises her arms in celebration following Louisville's 78-69 victory over Connecticut in an NCAA college basketball game in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Darryl DMC McDaniels- Black Butterfly Speaker Series at Chestnut St YMCA 

Joe Torry- Annual Derby Gala 100 Black Men of Louisville 

Percy "Master P" Miller - Barnstable Brown Gala 

Romeo Miller- Barnstable Brown Gala 

Sheryl Rouse- 2nd Annual Oaks Day Brunch (performing) 

Jason Clayborn- 2nd Annual Oaks Day Brunch (performing)

Jon-John- 2nd Annual Oaks Day Brunch (performing) 

Cameo- KDF Fest-A-Ville (performing)

Kym Hampton-Sneaker Ball 

Kid Capri- Darrell Griffith Foundation "Experience" (performing)

Junior Bridgeman- Trifecta Gala (host) 

Junior Bridgeman

Amerie- Trifecta Gala 

Bozoma St John- Trifecta Gala

Bryson Tiller- Trifecta Gala 

LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 24: Singer-songwriter Bryson Tiller performs onstage during the 2016 Daytime Village at the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the Las Vegas Village on September 24, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (

Cynthia Bailey- Trifecta Gala 

Damaris Phillips- Trifecta Gala 

Edric Bam Adebayo- Trifecta Gala 

Elijah Wilkinson- Trifecta Gala 

Fred McGruff- Trifecta Gala 

Frostee Rucker- Trifecta Gala 

Chef Gerron Hurt, Trifecta Gala, KDF Parade and Celebrity Day  

Kevin Knox, Trifecta Gala 

Michelle Williams- Trifecta Gala 

Mike Hill- Trifecta Gala 

Nene Leakes- Trifecta Gala 

Credit: WHAS
nene leakes dwts.jpg

Phaedra Parks- Trifecta Gala, Parade and Celebrity Day  

Credit: AP Images and WHAS
Left: Darnell Ferguson, SuperChefs; Middle: Phaedra Parks, Real Housewives of Atlanta; Right: Monte Durham, Say Yes to the Dress, Atlanta

Preston Brown- Trifecta Gala 

Ray J.- Trifecta Gala 

Shelvon Mack- Trifecta Gala 

Star Jones- Trifecta Gala 

Credit: WHAS
Star-Jones-620x480.jpg

Steve Harvey- Trifecta Gala 

Credit: WHAS
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JUNE 16: Actor/comedian Steve Harvey (R) and Marjorie Bridges-Woods attend The 40th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on June 16, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images)

Stephen A. Smith- Trifecta Gala 

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith (Michelle Homer photos)

Deion Branch, Trifecta Gala 

Natalie Zea- Trifecta Gala, KDF Parade and Celebrity Day 

Travis Schudlt- Trifecta Gala, KDF Parade and Celebrity Day  

Vivica A. Fox- Trifecta Gala 

Xavier Rhodes- Trifecta Gala 

Zapp Band- Trifecta Gala 

Monte Durham, Trifecta Gala, KDF Parade and Celebrity Day 

Robert Williamson III, Vegas in The Ville, KDF Great Steamboat Race, Celebrity Day and Unbridled Eve Gala 

JD Shelburne, Unbridled Eve Gala, KDF Great Steamboat Race and Celebrity Day 

Miss Kentucky 2018 Katie Bouchard, KDF Great Steamboat Race and Celebrity Race 

Jamon Brown, KDF Parade and Celebrity Day 

Members of Louisville FC-KDF Parade 

Jecorey "1200" Arthur- KDF Parade (performing) 

Chef Darnell "Superchef" Ferguson- Unbridled Eve, KDF Parade and Celebrity Day 

Chef Dallas McGarity, KDF Parade and Celebrity Day 

Chef Josh Moore- KDF Celebrity Day 

Maestro J- Annual Derby Gala 100 Black Men of Louisville (performing) 

Denny Crum- Vegas in The Ville (host) 

Jerry Mathers- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Brandon Jenner-Unbridled Eve Gala (performing)

DJ 2nd Nature-Unbridled Eve Gala (performing)

John Driskell "Hop" Hopkins- Unbridled Eve Gala (performing)

John Elefante- Unbridled Eve Gala (performing)

Linkin' Bridge-Unbridled Eve Gala (performing)

Mark McGrath-Unbridled Eve Gala (performing)

Mike Mills-Unbridled Eve Gala (performing)

Skip Martin-Unbridled Eve Gala (performing)

D.B. Woodside-Unbridled Eve Gala 

Paul Sorvino- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Nick Vallalonga- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Bob Guiney- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Nora Roberts- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Credit: WHAS
LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 02: Author Nora Roberts attends the 2014 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala during the 140th Kentucky Derby at Galt House Hotel & Suites on May 2, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for York Sisters, LLC)

Linda Thompson- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Bruce Wilder- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Patrick Warburton- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Jack Harlow- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Rob Angel- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Conrad Bachmann- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Credit: WHAS
LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 04: Conrad Bachmann (R) and guest attend the 139th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Austin Ramsey- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Ameara Wahhab-Unbridled Eve Gala 

Brandi Alexander-Unbridled Eve Gala 

Layla Spring- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Brandy Neelly-Unbridled Eve Gala 

Mike Smith- Jockey of Triple Crown aboard Justify 2018, Unbridled Eve Gala 

Credit: Mark Zerof
May 5, 2018; Louisville, KY, USA; Mike Smith aboard Justify (7) in the winner's circle after winning the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Jean Cruguet-Jockey of Triple Crown aboard Seattle Slew 1977, Unbridled Eve Gala 

Ramon Dominguez- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Sandy Hawley- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Tyler Gaffalione- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Gabe Saez- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Jon Court-Unbridled Eve Gala 

Ricardo Santana- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Sophie Doyle- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Luke Hancock-Unbridled Eve Gala 

Warren Moon- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Credit: WHAS
LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 02: Warren Moon attends the 2014 Unbridled Eve Derby Gala during the 140th Kentucky Derby at Galt House Hotel & Suites on May 2, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for York Sisters, LLC)

Mario Urrutia-Unbridled Eve Gala 

John Miller- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Bonnie-Jill Lafflin- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Credit: WHAS
LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 03: Bonnie-Jill Laflin attends the Unbridled Eve Gala for the 139th Kentucky Derby at The Galt House Hotel & Suites' Grand Ballroom on May 3, 2013 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for York Sisters, LLC)

PJ Fleck-Unbridled Eve Gala 

Joe Johnson-Unbridled Eve Gala 

Sam Boyd-Unbridled Eve Gala 

Jennifer Hoffman- Unbridled Eve Gala 

Terry Meiners-Unbridled Eve Gala 

Dawne Gee-Unbridled Eve Gala 

Jennifer Nettles-Churchill Downs (performing National Anthem on Derby Day)

Chris Lane- KDF Fest-A-Ville

Building 429-KDF Fest-A-Ville

Kongos- KDF Fest-A-Ville

The Struts- KDF Fest-A-Ville

My Posse in Effect- KDF Fest-A-Ville

Martina McBride-Fillies and Lilies Party (performing) 

Rajon Rondo- Trifecta Gala 

Credit: Mike Lawrie, Getty Images
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 14: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics looks on after failing to take a shot as time expired against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on November 14, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

Tom Brady- Barnstable Brown Gala

Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland- Barnstable Brown Gala

Trey Songz- Barnstable Brown Gala

Aaron Rodgers- Barnstable Brown Gala

Backstreet Boys-- Barnstable Brown Gala

Dennis Quaid- Barnstable Brown Gala

Boyz II Men- Barnstable Brown Gala

Master P- Barnstable Brown Gala

Romeo Miller- Barnstable Brown Gala

Johnny Gill-- Barnstable Brown Gala

Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts-- Barnstable Brown Gala

Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi-- Barnstable Brown Gala

Travis Tritt- Barnstable Brown Gala

Wilmer Valderrama-- Barnstable Brown Gala

Bode and Morgan Miller- Barnstable Brown Gala

John Grisham- Barnstable Brown Gala

David Alan Grier-- Barnstable Brown Gala

Stephen Amell- Barnstable Brown Gala

Singer-songwriter Martina McBride attends the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mario Lopez- Esquire Derby 

Credit: Mike Windle, 2016 Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 10: TV host Mario Lopez attends the premiere of Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm's "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" at the Pantages Theatre on December 10, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images)

Tyler Childers-Ashbourne Farms Derby Social 

Sara Evans-A Celebration of Second Chances 

Pat Green- A Celebration of Second Chances 

John Carter Cash- A Celebration of Second Chances 

Lee Brice-Barnstable Brown Gala  

Tanya Tucker-Barnstable Brown Gala

Taylor Dayne-Barnstable Brown Gala

Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry-Barnstable Brown Gala

Joey Fatone-Barnstable Brown Gala

Jordan Smith-Barnstable Brown Gala

Clay Walker-Barnstable Brown Gala

Von Miller-Barnstable Brown Gala

Julian Edelman-Barnstable Brown Gala

Jimmy Garoppolo-Barnstable Brown Gala

Danny Amendola-Barnstable Brown Gala

Mike Vrabel-Barnstable Brown Gala

Sean McVay-Barnstable Brown Gala

Kliff Kingsbury-Barnstable Brown Gala

Brian Hoyer-Barnstable Brown Gala

Matt Cassel-Barnstable Brown Gala

Jacoby Brissett-Barnstable Brown Gala

Jimmy Graham-Barnstable Brown Gala

Devante Adams--Barnstable Brown Gala

Randall Cobb--Barnstable Brown Gala

David Bakhtiari--Barnstable Brown Gala

Bryan Baluga--Barnstable Brown Gala

Corey Linsley-Barnstable Brown Gala

A. J. Hawk--Barnstable Brown Gala

Erik Bakhtari--Barnstable Brown Gala

Opening night of Churchill Downs is Saturday, April 27th.  Thurby is held on Thursday, May 2nd. Kentucky Oaks is on Friday, May 3rd and the Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, May 4th all held in Louisville, Ky under the “Twin Spires”. 

If you have a story idea, and/or would like to announce your guest(s) for your Kentucky Derby event send it to me at The411@whas11.com.  Follow me on social for real-time updates Twitter: @sherlenemediapr, Instagram: @sherlenemediapro and FB: SherleneShanklin.   

Before You Leave, Check This Out