- November 23, 2024
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Chairs Lea and James Buchanan
President and CEO Laura Gilbert and Board Chairman Paul Bowman
The ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota was decorated in red and gold.
Racehorses numbered the tables.
Riverview High School Student Ben North plays the "call to the races."
Brian Mariash and Carly Evans
Pia and Wyatt Chocklett
Guests gathered around the TVs to watch the race.
Lisa Clark and Tina Papa
Tomeika Hunter Koski, Hermione Gilpin and Carly Evans
Racehorses decorated The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota in honor of the Kentucky Derby.
Bennett Eppinger makes mint juleps for guests.
"Jockeys" Kenya Woodard and Liam Ordonez
Sarah Macrae, Asa Thomas and Dominic Harris
Teresa Harvey, Valerie Reeves and Shaquana Dillard
Sydney Gruters and Montana Taplinger
Margaret Wise and Ann Charters
Hello Gorgeous set up a photo booth with Kentucky Derby props.
Linda Cobb and Christal Cobb
Guests could purchase a rose magnet for $100.
Awards were given out for Most Dabber Dressed and Best Hat.
Kristen Fillmer, Kristyn Shoop, Erik Arrojo and Taylor Shoop
Chairwoman Lea Buchanan draws a name out of the bucket for a prize.
The Barbershop Quartet entertained guests with music.
David Hagberg and Carol Cohen dance to the music.
Lisa Quinn and Carmen Hemesath
The halls of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota were lined with guests in colorful attire and big hats and fascinators May 5 for the Sarasota YMCA's Going for the Gold gala.
During cocktail hour, mint juleps were poured aplenty while guests socialized and viewed the silent auction items on display. Magnetic roses were also being sold by "jockeys" for a chance to win a $2,500 gift card to Thayer.
At 6:46, after the "call to the races" trumpet, guests turned their attention to the many TVs in the hallways as the horses jolted out of the gate for their muddy run around the track. Each guest was given the chance to vote for a horse to place, win and show for a chance to win a prize later in the evening.
After Justify's big victory, everyone made their way into the ballroom for prize announcements, including awards for best hat and most dapper, speeches from the Chairs and President and CEO Laura Gilbert and a Southern-styled dinner.
