See Country Music’s Finest Dressed Up for the 2019 Kentucky Derby [Pictures]
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prominent society events of the year in certain circles, and 2019 saw several country singers turn out in their best duds to hit the red carpet alongside the assembled socialites on hand in Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
The annual Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race that's the culmination of a two-week Kentucky Derby festival. The final race takes place on the first Saturday in May, and every year, some of the high-rollers who have put big money down on the horses turn up in a colorful assortment of finery, with a wide variety of flamboyant hats as one of the focal points.
Montgomery Gentry singer Eddie Montgomery is a regular at the race, and the Kentucky native turned up again in 2019, walking the red carpet with his wife, Jennifer. Tracy Lawrence was also on hand to take in the 145th Run for the Roses.
So was another Derby regular, Travis Tritt, who hit the carpet with his wife Theresa before the big race. Up-and-coming country singer JD Shelburne was also on hand for the event, accompanied by his wife, Amy Whitman.
According to CBS, there were 20 horses remaining in the field going into race day at the 2019 Kentucky Derby, competing for the largest-ever guaranteed purse of $3 million, which marks an increase of $1 million over 2018.
Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland was also present to perform the national anthem before the running of the 2019 Kentucky Derby.
See Country Singers at the 2019 Kentucky Derby