Poker Pro Phil Hellmuth Among the Kentucky Derby Mint Jubilee Party

Poker pro and UltimateBet.com spokesperson, Phil Hellmuth, will be among the many celebrities attending the May 1 Mint Jubilee, a party leading up to Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

According to the Louisville Courier Journal, the actors and actresses who will attend the celebration in the Galt House Hotel & Suites Grand Ballroom include Mekhi Phifer from "ER" and "8 Mile," Damon Wayans and Joe Piscopo, who is planning to perform his Frank Sinatra impersonation at the party, Valerie Bertinelli, Kathryn Joosten from "Desperate Housewives" and Emmy Award-winners Marg Helgenberger and Doris Roberts. Country music star Josh Turner ("Long Black Train," "Your Man," "Would You Go With Me?") also is slated to perform.

Local Kentucky athletes will also be in attendance. 

Louisville natives Tom and Chris Thieneman and Matt Battaglia created the Mint Jubilee in the early 1990s as a way to give back to the community and the city of Louisville.  The idea fo a Kentucky Derby gala to raise money for a worthwhile cause seemed natural.  By enlisting the help of founding chair Tonya York Dees, who was with Greater Louisville Inc. at the time, the event was a resounding success.

Over the years the Mint Jubilee Gala has grown from 250 attendees to more than 1,500 and has become a signature Kentucky Derby event.  The Mint Jubilee's success is due in large part to the tireless work of more than 100 volunteers and generous donations from its numerous corporate sponsors and auction item donors.

Proceeds from the Mint Jubilee Gala benefit cancer research and services at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville.  To find out how you can become involved call (502) 562-315.

Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com