Photos by David Perry and Angela Baldridge. Check out Rich Copley’s blog for star sightings and quotes from the party, and see this slideshow of celebrity sightings during Derby Day.

Celebrities dig Derby bash

By Ashlee Clark and Rich Copley

Patricia Barnstable Brown and her twin sister Cyb Barnstable were making their ways down the long, winding driveway of their home and ran into celebrity chef Bobby Flay and his wife, actress Stephanie March.

“It’s a fabulous party, and you made the rain stop,” Flay said, beaming.

Brown replied, “This is what happens every year. It rains, and then, just in time for the party, it stops.”

And then the stars come out.

It’s been happening for 20 years at 1700 Spring Street in Louisville.

The week before the Derby, Brown’s home slowly transforms from quiet city estate into party central for Derby Eve. The guest list includes enough celebrities to attract regional and national media, who stood three tiers deep Friday night to get a few comments from the stars about why they’re in Louisville, who they’re betting on, and what do they think of that whole Miley Ray Cyrus thing. At least, that’s what the Entertainment Tonight guy wanted to know.

This year’s guest list included regulars such as singer Michael McDonald, photographer turned celebrity dad Larry Birkhead, Olympic skier Bode Miller and newcomers such as talk show host Carson Daly and Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner, who brought his reality show The Girls Next Door to the party.

Murray native Molly Sims marveled at the throng of photographers quietly snapping her picture.

“You all are so polite,” the former Las Vegas star said. “This is the nicest paparazzi I’ve ever seen.”

Daly invoked Hefner in his opinion of Louisville and the party: “People at home think this is the Playboy Mansion of Louisville. But it’s not. It’s a real home in a real, lovely neighborhood.”See more stars: View a slide show of celebrities from Friday night’s Barnstable Brown Derby Eve party.

Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger reminded folks that there will be more than one major sporting event in Louisville this year. Referring to the upcoming U.S. vs. Europe golf tournament, he said, “I’m bringing back some of my own thoroughbreds.”

Molly Sims said the food is favorite part of coming to Derby, particularly her mom’s red velvet cake. Her mom accompanied her.

Mary Wilson kept tripping over the ruffles at the bottom of her dress.

Joey Fatone wore a black tux with a black tie with rhinestones. “This is my time off, time to relax, time to let my hair down — I know I don’t have much hair, but still.”

Hugh Hefner said he thought it was great there were so many fans.

Larry Birkhead: “Dannielynn is great. She spit up, right before I left - yogurt and everything. She was said to see me go, but I explained, ‘Daddy has to have a little fun, and she understood.” More from Birkhead: “This is where I met Anna. Those are special memories. It’s never easy to come back here, but I love it.” Asked who he wanted to see, he said, “definitely the Girls Next Door.”

Carson Daly, host of Last Call with Carson Daly, came with his mom, Pattie Daly Caruso. “We went to the Belmont four years ago and had the best time. She loves to fly with me. She looked at me on the plane and said, ‘I love flying with you.’ I think it’s because for five hours, I can’t leave the room.” More from Daly: “I don’t go out thinking about how I’ll work it into my show. I’ll be able to go on and say, ‘I went to Louisville, and the Derby.”

Chef Bobby Flay and actress Stephanie March: Asked who they were looking forward to seeing, Flay’s wife, actress March, said, “Each other. He’s very busy.” He said the ideal food here this time of year is fried chicken, biscuits, and a bourbon cocktail. “We had a great meal last night at 610 Magnolia. I love Kentucky food. I have a hot brown on the menu of my restaurant in New York.”

Lennox Lewis said he had Derby pie waiting in the hotel room for after the party, but hadn’t tried any yet.Jerry O’Connell wore Hugo Boss. He said he likes the Derby because it’s not just about what happens at the track, “It happens everywhere all over town.” He brought his dad, and they’re sharing a room. O’Connell was excited to see Terrell Owens. “A lot of sports figures come to this, not just annoying people like me.” He said he was betting on Colonel John. His lucky charms: a lucky tie.

Drew Lachey: He and brother Nick are from Cincinnati, so the Derby has “been a part of our culture, a part of our history.” He and his brother are having their own Derby party that “won’t be as high brow as this event.” Although he won in Dancing with the Stars, he didn’t plan on dancing at the party: “I’m retired. I hung up my dancing shoes.”

Nick Lachey said he never won a lot of money betting on horses. He said it was nice to hand out with brother Drew. “This is clearly the marquee weekend here in Louisville.”

Michael McDonald opened his set with the Motown classic Heard it Through the Grapevine. Also on the playlist: Doobie Brothers hits such as I Keep Forgetting and Taking it to the Streets.

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