Kate Upton Is Red Hot and Champions Great Cause at Kentucky Derby 2016

Find out which other celebrities were spotted at the event

Kate Upton was a gorgeous lady in red at several 2016 Kentucky Derby events Friday.

On Friday, the day before the main race, the actress and Sports Illustrated and Victoria's Secret model attended the Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala. She wore a bright, cleavage-baring, empire waist red dress, paired with a white moto jacket worn over her shoulders. She also showcased her massive diamond engagement ring, given to her recently by Justin Verlander.

Earlier in the day, Upton served as the First Lady of the Longines Kentucky Oaks, a preliminary race for 3-year old fillies, or young female horses.

Wearing her jacket, a white shirt, white and black pants and a pink wristband, she attended to champion a great cause: Upton is a supporter of Churchill Downs' charitable partner, Bright Pink, a group that promotes prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer. In her honorary role, Upton took part in the eighth annual Survivors Parade, along with more than 140 survivors of breast and ovarian cancer.

#KentuckyOaks @KentuckyDerby #WinnersCircle @brightpink

A photo posted by Kate Upton (@kateupton) on May 6, 2016 at 3:19pm PDT

It's official. We ?? @kateupton! Perfect day teaming up with Kate to inspire the @kentuckyderby crowd to practice breast and ovarian cancer prevention and early detection. #?? #kyderby #savinglives

A photo posted by Bright Pink (@bebrightpink) on May 6, 2016 at 12:49pm PDT

Couldn't have asked for a better day at The Oaks! Thanks to @kateupton and everyone else who made today so special. #KyDerby #BrightPink ??

A photo posted by Bright Pink (@bebrightpink) on May 6, 2016 at 3:28pm PDT

"Such an honor to be a part of an amazing cause," Upton said on Instagram.

A photo posted by Kate Upton (@kateupton) on May 6, 2016 at 5:33pm PDT

New couple alert?? #jonvoight ! Orrrrr it could be that a random lady #BarnstableBrownGala asked us to pose and we both said surrrre.....

A photo posted by Gayle King (@gayleking) on May 7, 2016 at 6:59am PDT

Other celebs spotted at the 2016 Kentucky Derby's Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala Friday include ski champion Lindsey Vonn, Arrow star Stephen Amell and wife Cassandra Jean, Jon Voight, Gayle King and Dancing With the Stars pro dancer Kym Johnson and her fiancé and former dance partner Robert Herjavec.

Rock guitarists Richie Sambora and Orianthi, as well as Joey Fatone, performed for the crowd. The three were joined by other musicians onstage to cover of the late Prince's "When Doves Cry." 

Red carpet

A photo posted by Orianthi (@theqof) on May 6, 2016 at 8:21pm PDT

Get into the Derby spirit at home by making your own Derby-inspired cocktail, the Glenmorangie & Chef Marcus Samuelsson dapper punch:

Ingredients:
11 oz Glenmorangie original
1 z fresh lemon juice
1 oz simple syrup
1 oz Génépi des Alpes
1 oz of Kronan Swedish Punsch
Garnish: Grapefruit peel
Glass: Rocks glass
Method: all shaken, strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a large grapefruit peel squeeze over cocktail, run around the rim and drop in.

Samuelsson, known for his work on Chopped, just launched "Wine & Dine" auction packages on eBay for charity.