For Anna Nicole Smith, the Kentucky Derby was more than just a horse race; it was both a runway and a promotional platform. The model left her mark at the event in the early noughties, joining a bevy of stars who transformed the event’s relationship with Hollywood and fashion.

Established in 1875, the Kentucky Derby became a celebrity sighting hotspot in the early 2000s, with Smith, Janet Jackson, Pamela Anderson, Kim Cattrall and others popular Y2K names embracing the event’s sartorial fashion style. Smith attended the horse race two years in a row and featured the event in one of the episodes of her reality TV series, “The Anna Nicole Show.”

Anna Nicole Smith at the pre-Kentucky Derby Barnstable-Brown on May 2, 2003.

Known for her eye-catching fashion choices and vibrant style, Smith debuted at the event in 2003, attending the pre-Kentucky Derby Barnstable-Brown party in a light blue strapless gown with sparkling embellishments. The floor-length dress had a fitted bodice and was paired with a matching light scarf or wrap.

For the horse race that year, she wore a navy blue outfit with a distinctive white lace or ruffled collar and cuffs. She’s also sported a wide-brimmed hat in

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