Julep Cup Jaunt Has Record-Breaking Run for the Roses

By Liz Caldwell

 
Hat contestant finalists wait for the winner to be announced. The hat contest was sponsored by the Hat Club. 


Guests watched the live running of the Kentucky Derby and participated in a live auction following the race. 

May 7, 2013 | A festive crowd at the 10th annual Julep Cup Jaunt watched the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 4 while raising record-breaking funds for two programs benefitting babies and pregnant women.

More than 300 guests decked out in derby attire attended the event that brought in more than $100,000. In the last decade, the Julep Cup Jaunt has raised more than $300,000. The UAMS neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), specializing in the care of fragile newborns, has been a recipient since 2007, and the OB/GYN Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine was added in 2012.

The Julep Cup Jaunt was held in the Fred W. Smith Conference Center on the 12th floor of the UAMS Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute. The crowd cheered as Orb won the Kentucky Derby on a 12 ft. by 24 ft. theater-style screen. Orb was a favorite to win the race along with Revolutionary, which finished third.

Sponsored by the UAMS Consortium, the Julep Cup Jaunt has become central Arkansas’ premier Kentucky Derby watch party and silent and live auction. Cassie LaFrance and Wendy Wilson served as co-chairs of the event.

Prior to the race, Paul Wendel, M.D., professor and maternal-fetal medicine specialist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UAMS, and Kristine Palmer, M.D., associate professor in the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics and co-medical director of the UAMS NICU, spoke about the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Program at UAMS and what the event means for the program each year.

“The maternal-fetal medicine specialists at UAMS are dedicated to improving maternal and child outcomes through the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of both maternal and fetal diseases,” Wendel said.

The silent auction featured items such as exclusive dinner parties, box seats at Oaklawn Park and Arkansas Travelers games, multiple golf outings, professional photography packages, art, jewelry, beauty extravaganzas, kids furniture and restaurant gift cards.

“We average more than 1,000 admissions each year and have treated more than 10,000 babies,” Palmer said. “Our unit is unique and stands apart from others because it is truly a family-centered intensive care setting. All of our babies get their own private room. You can imagine the difference that makes not only to the patient, but to the family we are caring for as well.”

Sponsors included Dale Capital Partners; The Hat Club; Arvest; Colliers International; Regions Insurance; JPMS Cox; Ferstl Valuation Services; UARK Federal Credit Union; The Fleming Company; Delta Trust & Bank; Legacy Capital Group; Hart, Chandler & Associates, PLLC; First Arkansas Bank & Trust; Glazers Distribution; Budweiser; Mitchell Williams; Regions; CenterPoint Energy; Clark Contractors; Bank of America; Merrill Lynch; US Foods; Bankers Assurance; Friday, Eldredge & Clark; TC Print; Tanarah Luxe Floral; Arkansas One Call; Robin Dee Enterprises Inc; and Simmons Bank.

View photos from this year’s event!