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From Bruno Mars to Chris Tucker, celebrities wow at Trifecta Gala on Kentucky Derby eve

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From Bruno Mars to Chris Tucker, celebrities wow at Trifecta Gala on Kentucky Derby eve


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It may have been a “swan song” for the Trifecta Gala on Kentucky Derby Eve, but the annual event appeared to go out with a bang Friday night.

After more than 20 years, the Kentucky Derby Eve charity gala welcomed its last room full of partying locals and celebrity VIPs.

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“It is a bittersweet moment,” said party co-host Eden Bridgeman Sklenar, whose father, retired NBA guard and entrepreneur Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, was part of the group that first hosted the celebrity Derby bash — then called “The Derby Grand Gala “— in 2002.

“Tonight is a culmination of so many thoughts and visions,” she said. “It’s finally here. We’ve been planning, we feel, for this moment since 2002 to really celebrate.”

Bruno Mars headlined the party, taking to the stage just before 11 p.m. with a string of hits.

Mars’ vocals blasted out of the tent, bringing teens on motorized scooters and passersby to a halt to hear the 15-time Grammy Award winner belt.

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After a three-year hiatus, the party returned this year, for a final time, with the theme “The Night of Roses.”

Held in various locations under a handful of different names over the last two decades, the gala took to the waterfront this year.

Temporary tents reaching more than 60 feet tall were erected just for the party in a parking lot west of Louisville Slugger Field.

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Hanging installations in the large main tent included an abstract take on the Churchill Downs twin spires, floral chandeliers, and a horse sculpture.

This year’s charity partner was Big Brothers Big Sister Kentuckaina. Past funding recipients include The V Foundation, West End School, Dare to Care, and The University of Louisville Autism Center.

Television and radio host Kenny Burns served as the party’s master of ceremonies and Chris Tucker was emcee for the night, a delight for Kentucky Derby regular and television personality Star Jones who said she “wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

You may like: Here’s how to order The Courier Journal’s ‘150 Years of the Kentucky Derby’ book

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“And quit saying it’s the last one,” Jones said with a wink. “I’m trying to talk Eden into a couple more.”

Three-time Super Bowl champion Emmitt Smith made his return to Louisville for his second Kentucky Derby and said he was ready to enjoy himself at the Trifecta Gala.

“Tonight I’m looking forward to enjoying what opportunity has behind this door,” he said. “I’m looking forward to Bruno Mars performing and doing his thing.”

First-time attendee Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Sutton Stracke took to the red carpet ― which was in fact a floral pattern green carpet ― in tennis shoes after a long day at Churchill Downs.

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“Even in the rain, it’s very pretty. It’s very ethereal,” she said. “I’m sort of on cloud nine right now.”

Other guests to walk the carpet included University of Louisville alumna and WNBA player Angel McCoughtry and former WNBA player Lisa Leslie, among others.

Just a few months off their Super Bowl win, Kansas City Chiefs players Isiah “Pop” Pacheco, Creed Humphrey and Mike Caliendo walked the red carpet together.  

Asked if he had a Derby horse pick, Pacheco cracked a grin.

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“Horse 10, let’s do it,” said the running back, who wears the jersey number 10.

Bridgeman Skelnar said she was proud of the gala’s track record of “bringing the Derby experience to all, with a little bit more color.”

Reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at mglowicki@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4000 or on Twitter @mattglo.





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Body found in Ohio River in northeast Kentucky ID’d as Columbus man

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Body found in Ohio River in northeast Kentucky ID’d as Columbus man


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  • A body found in the Ohio River on May 4 has been identified as a 38-year-old Columbus man.
  • Authorities identified the man as Jason D. Frisbie after working with Ohio officials.
  • The body was discovered in the river in Vanceburg, Kentucky, near Ohio’s Shawnee State Park.
  • The cause of death remains under investigation by authorities.

Authorities said a body recovered May 4 from the Ohio River in northeast Kentucky has been identified as a Columbus man, Dispatch news partner NBC4/WMCH-TV reported.

Lewis County Sheriff Johnny Bivens said the body has been identified as Jason D. Frisbie, 38, of Columbus. Bivens said authorities in Kentucky worked with Ohio officials to identify Frisbie this week.

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Bivens said Lewis County took a call around 4:30 p.m. May 4 about a body in the river in Vanceburg, Kentucky, a few miles south of Ohio’s Shawnee State Park. Bivens said responding agencies took the body to the Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office.

Lewis County authorities asked for public help identifying the body. On May 9, Bivens confirmed Frisbie’s identity after working with Ohio officials and local responders.

Bivens said the death remains under investigation, and authorities did not offer information about a suspected cause.



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Two ‘dangerous’ inmates escape Kentucky detention center, sparking multi-agency manhunt across region

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Two ‘dangerous’ inmates escape Kentucky detention center, sparking multi-agency manhunt across region


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Two inmates described as “dangerous” escaped Friday evening from a Kentucky detention center, prompting a multi-agency manhunt, police said.

The Morehead Police Department warned the surrounding community that two inmates had “walked away” from the Rowan County Detention Center.

Investigators said multiple law enforcement agencies are actively searching for the escapees, with Kentucky State Police leading the investigation.

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“These inmates should be considered dangerous,” police said, warning the community not to approach anyone suspicious or unfamiliar.

KENTUCKY DAD RAGES AFTER COURT-APPROVED RELEASE OF REPEAT OFFENDER LEADS TO FAMILY’S KIDNAPPING

Two inmates described as “dangerous” escaped from a Kentucky detention center, prompting a multi-agency manhunt. (Morehead Police Department)

One of the inmates was identified as Michael Fogleman, 29, who is described as 6 feet tall and 188 pounds.

He has short or closely shaved hair and a short beard along his jawline and chin, according to police.

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The second inmate was identified as James Smallwood, 52, who is listed at 6 feet 1 inch tall and about 215 pounds.

MANHUNTS ACROSS AMERICA IN 2025: FIVE CASES THAT LEFT CITIES, CAMPUSES AND TOWNS ON EDGE

Michael Fogleman, 29, is one of two inmates who escaped from a Kentucky detention center, police said. (Morehead Police Department)

He is described as having a medium to stocky build with gray facial hair around the mouth and chin area.

Smallwood was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans and possibly a hat, police said.

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James Smallwood, 52, is one of two inmates on the run after escaping from a Kentucky jail, authorities said. (Morehead Police Department)

Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and call 911 immediately if they see anything suspicious or have information about the escapees.

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Law enforcement agencies are searching for two escaped inmates in Kentucky, authorities said. (Silas Walker/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service)

Investigators said they will provide more information as it becomes available.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to the Kentucky State Police and Rowan County Detention Center for comment.



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Kentucky Girls Jumpers Surge as State Records Come Into Range

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Kentucky Girls Jumpers Surge as State Records Come Into Range


The Kentucky high school 2026 outdoor track and field season has been exceptional, especially the girls competition.

In particular, the sprints and horizontal jumps.

Long Jump Leaders Set the Pace

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First, the long jump.

Christian Educational Consortium’s Jade Hartlage, a rising superstar of track and field in its totality, has the state’s leading jump, 19feet, 9 inches, set March 26. She is partially homeschooled and not eligible for in KHSAA postseason.

Hartlage’s mark is followed by Simon Kenton’s Alexis Howard (19-0, March 26). Howard is another standout athlete. She was selected as a 2025 All-State Honorable Mention in soccer. Howard won the 3A indoor title in early March, recording a mark of 18-7 1/4.

Howard, Svidal Among Top Contenders

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Walden School senior Natalie Svidal sailed to an 18-4 1/2 mark at the Walden Small School Championships May 5. That ties her for third in the state with Taleigha Nash of Great Crossing High School.

Triple Jump Competition Tightens

In the triple jump, Howard is atop the performance list. She leapt 40-5, April 25.

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However, Svidal is close. She recorded 40-2 1/4 this past week.

Multi-Sport Stars Making Impact

Teigh Yeast, yet another standout athlete, who helped George Rogers Clark win a state basketball title in March and is a Robert Morris University basketball commit, logged a 40-0 1/2 jump April 21. Yeast was last season’s 3A champion at 39-5.25.

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Walden School’s Natalie Svidal has the second and third best performances this season in the triple jump (40-2 1/4) and long jump (18-4 1/2), respectively. | Chris Adams

How Kentucky Stacks Up Nationally

Perspective and context need to be applied here. Here’s how Kentucky compares nationally.

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National Benchmarks Set the Bar

Parker Coes of Morton Ranch High School (Katy, Texas) has surpassed 21 feet twice in 2026. Abigail Mecklenburg of Linn-Mar High School (Marion, Iowa) is approaching the 21-foot threshold.

Coes’ marks were achieved in the early indoor season. The Texan has jumped 20-10 1/2 outdoors (April 3) but her last mark was 18-11 3/4, May 2.

Mecklenburg is yet to replicate her indoor marks outdoors.

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The top outdoor jump so far in 2026 is 42-7.5, set by Daniela Hughes of Los Altos High School (Los Altos, California).

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A significant challenge for the Bluegrass jumpers to surpass. But if there is a season for top-10 national rankings or records.

State Records Within Reach

With that said, the Kentucky state records are potentially breakable in the next two weeks. The current records are 20-4 (Maxine Graham, Fleming County High School, 1975) and 41-7 (Sophie Galloway, Marshall County High School, 2021).

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Each has the speed and explosiveness to challenge those marks.

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