Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter Dannielynn Birkhead coordinated perfectly with her father, Larry Birkhead, on Saturday as the pair continued a family tradition and attended the Kentucky Derby.
The 14-year-old daughter of the late model, who died from an accidental overdose in 2007, beamed with excitement as she and her dad, 48, geared up for a day of horse racing at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
The horse race holds a special place in the family’s heart as Larry met Anna there in 2004 where she was photographed in an iconic pink hat.
Larry and his daughter posted a trio of photos on their joint Instagram account accompanied by a lengthy caption with details on the weekend, as Larry joked that Dannielynn’s striking teal pant suit ‘finished first.’
Derby debut: Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter Dannielynn Birkhead, 14, heads to the Kentucky Derby with dad Larry Birkhead who jokes her teal pant suit ‘finished first’
Annual outing: ‘It’s that time of year again. The @kentuckyderby weekend is here!,’ a snippet of the caption read, as they shared photos of their look for the annual race at Churchill Downs
Racing puns: ‘Dannielynn ‘finished first’ in her pant suit and a beautiful white flowered fascinator,’ he wrote, continuing to say she was certainly growing into a teenager with many opinions
The daddy-daughter duo posed on a stoop in one photo before sharing snaps from the race track, one of which featured the blonde teenager in a studded face mask to match her outfit.
‘It’s that time of year again. The @kentuckyderby weekend is here! Even though our favorite event The Barnstable-Brown Party won’t be back until next year, we decided to head out on this beautiful day to Churchill Downs racetrack in preparation for The Kentucky Derby,’ they wrote.
‘Dannielynn was determined to have a different style this year. Since she is older, it’s not like you can just go out and pick out a little kid dress anymore like I had done for all the Derby races in the past. She picked out a (Jovani) pantsuit she loved online and they rushed it to her just in time for the big race. She wanted to coordinate everything this year down to her blinged out mask,’ Larry told DailyMail.com.
Larry explained that the trip to the racecourse was made even more special given that global pandemic had led to almost everything else being cancelled.
‘We had a great time just spending the time together eating a bunch of food and enjoying the great weather. Since Covid it has been a challenge to get out of the house and do much so this was a special treat and time,’ he said.
Teenager Dannielynn looked grown up in a bright Jovani pantsuit adorned with pearl buttons in the shape of flowers.
And she continued to dazzle in a pair of studded flats while additionally going all out with the derby theme as she sported a white flowered fascinator.
‘She is getting so big it is scary. She will be driving in just a couple of years! I tried to mention giving her one of her Mom’s old cars, but she is already talking about a Tesla!’ Larry joked.
‘She is doing great in school and has great grades but she misses in-person school and seeing all of her friends. I’m really proud of her and think big things are to come from her. I think people make natural comparisons to her mom but the truth is she is her own person and she is determined to do things on her own even at such a young age,’ Larry explained.
147 years: The Derby was back in action with many celebrities coming out to watch the race take place in Kentucky for the 147th year; pictured May 1
Photographer, Larry, debuted a white linen suit with a blue button down and pastel checkered tie, sharing in the caption that Dannielynn spent time ‘critiquing [his] outfit,’ after marveling that her look ‘finished first.’
‘Dannielynn ‘finished first’ in her pant suit and a beautiful white flowered fascinator,’ he wrote, continuing to say she was certainly growing into a teenager with many opinions.
‘She said she wanted to wear something entirely different than she had in the past. I guess that means no more ‘little girl’ dresses?? She cleaned out the chocolate brownies, ice cream and nachos while at the same time critiquing my outfit,’ the caption concluded.
In 2019 Dannielynn continued her legacy as she showed up to the derby in the same hat, looking reminiscent of her late mom.
Mini-me: In 2019 she continued Anna Nicole’s legacy at the derby as she wore her oversized pink hat, looking a spitting image of her bombshell mom
Dannielynn and Larry had taken part in an 20/20 ABC News special in February where they reflected on the playmate’s life as they visited her hometown of Mexia, Texas and spoke to friends who knew her before she was famous.
‘You are your mommy you look just like her,’ marveled one friend about Dannielynn, and it was said that she had always ‘dreamed’ of having a daughter. Sadly Smith passed away when she was just five months old.
She also had a son Daniel with ex-husband Billy Wayne Smith who tragically met the same fate Anna did, dying of an accidental overdose just one year before her death, and days after she welcomed Dannielynn.
‘Anna should be remembered as this larger than life figure that was really a caring, giving person. A beautiful lady who loved her fans and loved her family,’ Birkhead said in the special.
Tragic fate: She also had a son Daniel with ex-husband Billy Wayne Smith who tragically met the same fate Anna did, dying of an accidental overdose just one year before her death, and days after she welcomed Dannielynn; pictured with Daniel 2004