History of the Kentucky Derby, 1875-1921 Part 10

Index Starters Jockeys St. 1/2 3/4 S. F. Betting (325) Typhoon II, 117 Garner 1 1 3 1 2 1 2 1 h 11 to 5 (186) Ornament, 117 A. Clayton 5 2 2 2 6 2 8 2 25 7 to 5 (404) Dr. Catlett, 117 R. Williams 6 4 1 4 8 4 10 3 4 4 to 1 Dr. Shepard, 117 J. Hill 4 3 4 3 6 3-1/2 4 30 15 to 1 (336) Goshen, 117 Wilhite 2 6 6 6 5 15 to 1 (284) Ben Brown, 117 Ballard 3 5 3 5 2 5 1 6 6 to 1

Start fair; won with first 2 driving hard. Time--2:12-1/2.

J. C. Cahn's ch c Typhoon II, by imp. Top Gallant-Dolly Varden.

TWENTY-FOURTH DERBY 1898

Kentucky is happy. The Kentucky Derby on Wednesday last was won by a Kentucky horse, bred, owned and trained, while Memphis and the Southern talent are clothed in sackcloth and ashes. The gallant Plaudit lowered the colors of the hitherto invincible Lieber Karl.

The day of the great event opened gloomy and showery, and the weather, therefore, reduced the crowd which would have otherwise been perhaps the greatest in the history of this famous race. Before the races began, however, the rain ceased and a brilliant a.s.sembly saw the 24th Kentucky Derby, and even in numbers the crowd suffered little in comparison with previous Derby Days, from ten to fifteen thousand people being present.

The track had been deep in dust, and the light showers of the morning made the track a little slow and soggy, but by no means sloppy or muddy.

Col. M. Lewis Clark was presiding judge and Secretary Price his a.s.sociate.

Thirteen bookmakers were in line and there was business for twenty.

Lieber Karl's Memphis performances had made him the hottest tip that in recent years has started for the Derby. Although all of the trainers at Louisville had been confident that Plaudit would win the Derby, as shown in the reports of the Louisville correspondent of The Record, the Memphis tip was brought up so hot and strong by the Southern delegation, that, with few exceptions, Plaudit's st.u.r.diest friends succ.u.mbed and sadly concluded that after all the Memphis Hindoo would beat their pet. The most notable exceptions were Dr. J. D. Neet, who bred Plaudit and who was there to pull for the colt; "Brown d.i.c.k," who trained him as a two-year-old, and Willie Simms, who was to ride him. Albert Simons, his trainer, felt the responsibility too keenly to commit himself to an expression of opinion and John E. Madden, the owner, had gone to New York two days before with Plaudit's half brother Glenheim, of which he is said to have a higher opinion of even than Plaudit. Major Thomas, who owned Himyar when Plaudit was sired, did not come down from his Lexington home to see the great son of his great sire perform.

The bookies had nearly all come from Memphis, and were thoroughly imbued with the belief that no horse on earth could beat Lieber Karl, and that every dollar they bet against him was thrown away. Hence they tentatively put up 9 to 20 Lieber Karl and 2 to 1 Plaudit. This was soon changed to 7 to 20 Lieber Karl and 2-1/2 to 1 and 3 to 1 Plaudit, and 2 to 1 the field against Karl. As the other two starters--Isabey and Han d'Or--were considered to have no earthly show for first money the bulk of the money was forced on Plaudit by the prohibitive price on Karl, and the bookies were probably losers by the race, although Mr. Schorr was said to have bet heavily on his colt.

Karl is an impressive looking fellow, with a high-headed, dashing way of going, and duly impressed the spectators as he worked by the stand. He is a handsome horse, much resembling in appearance and gait Typhoon II and First Mate. Plaudit, on the other hand, though more blood-like, is the least imposing looking of all Cinderella's great sons and is withal a sluggish racer. He has, however, a clean, low frictionless stride far preferable to the high sweeping action of his rival, and his clean-cut thoroughbred lines and splendid chest indicated that he had both gameness and stamina.

There was little delay at the post, and when the flag fell Lieber Karl at once shot to the front, and came by the stand like a wild horse, with Burns pulling with might and main and keeping the rank colt well within himself. Plaudit was on the outside and running last, but easily, and the others right on the flying Karl's heels. Simms sent Plaudit forward, and when the back stretch was reached his red jacket flashed in front of Isabey and Han d'Or, who were never noticed again in the race. Lieber Karl was still running like a locomotive, but Simms set sail for him and before the middle of the back stretch was reached had his head at the leader's flanks and held his place, though he seemed to be extended, while Karl was apparently well in hand. As they struck the next turn Plaudit made a move to go up but Burns let out a link and Karl shot away. Simms began to ride, however, and the sluggish Plaudit, as if waiting to be called on, held his own at Lieber Karl's tail. Straightened into the run home Simms drew his whip and at the first touch of the lash Plaudit shot forward and slowly drew up to his rival's head, and at the last eighth pole they were on even terms. Karl for the first time this season had been collared. Not till then did Burns begin to urge his mount, and soon the catgut was raising welts upon Karl's heaving sides, while Simms was vigorously plying the lash to Plaudit. It was a desperate duel for a few strides, and then Plaudit gamely responding drew away and the race was over. Lieber Karl was all out, and while Simms rode the sluggish Plaudit to the end, he no longer needed the lash and finished with something to spare by a full length.

When the winner trotted back to the stand, the heartiest ovation tendered a Derby winner in recent years was given him. The crowd surged through the gates and over the fence and it was necessary to call a policeman to keep the enthusiastic crowd from the horse's heels. A wreath of red roses was placed about the victor's neck, and as he was led before the stand the crowd--ladies and all--arose and cheered the hero to the echo.

Kentucky Derby; for three-year-olds; guaranteed value $6,000. 1 mile and a quarter.

Index Starters Jockeys St. 1/2 3/4 S. F. Betting Plaudit, 117 Simms 3 2 4 2 8 2 8 1 1 3 to 1 (740) Lieber Karl, 122 Burns 2 1-3/4 1 2 1-1/2 2 20 1 to 3 191 Isabey, 117 Knapp 1 3 h 3-1/2 3nk 3 3 12 to 1 Han d'Or, 117 Conley 4 4 4 4 4 25 to 1

Start good; won driving.

Post 4 minutes. Lieber Karl was rank and Burns had him under a stout pull to the head of the stretch; he tired badly in the last furlong. Fractional time--0:25-1/2, O:50-1/2, 1:17, 1:30, 1:43-1/2, 1:55-3/4, 209.

J. E. Madden's br c Plaudit, by Himyar, imp. Cinderella.

TWENTY-FIFTH DERBY 1899

The twenty-fifth Kentucky Derby was run on Thursday, May 4, and was won easily by A. H. and D. H. Morris' Manuel, ridden by Fred Taral, who had come on from New York expressly for the mount. The weather was warm and pleasant, though cloudy, and the track deep with dust. The race was a poor one from the standpoint of time and would seem to indicate that with the single exception of Manuel there was not a horse of Derby cla.s.s of ordinary years in the field. Some excuses could be made for Corsine, as he traveled from the Pacific Coast and was giving from five to twelve pounds to his opponents. But the son of Riley showed no speed at any part of the journey, though he seemed to be in fine form, and will have to improve remarkably to win rank among the good horses of America. There is not much to say about the others, except that they finished behind Corsine. Mazo will probably do much better at shorter distance, but Fontainbleau and His Lordship seem to be counterfeits. The latter was trained to the hour by his trainer and part owner, Mr. John Smith, who showed his skill in the development of the crack McIvor in his first year on the turf, but he shut up like a jack knife when collared and dropped out of it. But few words are needed in addition to the form-sheet in describing the race. His Lordship took the lead before reaching the grand stand and going down the back stretch seemed to be leading easily with his mouth wide open. Taral had Manuel under a wrap close up in second place and approaching the turn from the backstretch he nailed the leader. There was a moment's struggle and His Lordship fell back sulky and beaten and was no longer a contender in the race. Coming into the homestretch Corsine made his run and half way home came up under the whip and for an instant had his head at Manuel's hips. But Taral shook up the son of Bob Miles and the latter springing away, came on with Taral looking over his shoulder, and won without farther urging.

Although the race was by no means a sensational one, yet it was the Kentucky Derby, and an immense crowd, estimated at 20,000 people, saw the race. Of this number, probably one-third were ladies in their spring toilets and presenting a scene of beauty which is equalled at no other race in America save the great Kentucky cla.s.sic.

There were eighteen bookmakers in line. The executive officers were as follows:

Presiding Judge--Charles F. Price.

a.s.sociate Judge--Lew Tarlton.

Timers--Arthur Newsom, Pat Dunne and Charles McMeekin.

Starter--Morgan Chinn.

Manuel is a bay colt, sired by Bob Miles, son of Pat Malloy and Dolly Morgan, by Revenue; dam Espanita, daughter of Alarm and Outstep, by Blue Eyes. He is owned by Messrs. A. H. and D. H. Morris, and trained by Robert Walden, son of Mr. Wyndham Walden, one of the greatest of American trainers. Manuel was bred by George J. Long, Bashford Manor, Louisville, Ky., who raced him in his two-year-old form until October, when he was bought by his present owners for $15,000. Last year he started twenty-one times, winning three races, second three times, and third six times.

The Kentucky Derby; for three-year olds; guaranteed value $6,000 1-1/4 miles. Fractional time, 0:25-3/4, 0:50-1/2, 1:17-3/4, 1:45-1/2, 2:12. 151 nominations.

Starters Jockeys St. 1/4 1/2 3/4 M. S. F. Betting Manuel, 117 Taral 1 3 3 3 2 1 h 1 2 1 2 1 2 11 to 20 Corsine, 122 T. Burns 5 5 5 3 h 2 3 2 4 2 5 3 to 1 Mazo, 117 Conley 4 4 1 4nk 4 1 4 3 3 3 3 6 8 to 1 His Lordship, 110 Turner 2 1-1/2 1 1 2 1 3 h 4-1/2 4 2 12 to 1 Fontai'ebleu, 117 Overton 3 2 1 2-1/2 5 5 5 5 50 to 1

Start good. Won easily; place same. Post 3 minutes. Winner, b c by Bob Miles--Espanita. Value to winner $4,850.

TWENTY-SIXTH DERBY 1900

Louisville, Ky., May 3rd, 1900, weather fine, track fast. One mile and a quarter. Time 2:06-1/4. Value $4,850, second $700, third $300.

Lieut. Gibson, 117, D. Boland 1 by 4 lengths Florizar, 122, Van Dusen 2 by 2 lengths Thrive, 122, Winkfield 3 by 1 length

Highland Lad, His Excellency, Kentucky Farmer, Hindus also ran. Betting 10 to 7 on Gibson. Good start. Won easily, place same. Gibson made his field look common.

Lieut. Gibson, br c, by G. W. Johnson--Sophia Hardy, owned by Charles H.

Smith, trained by Charles Hughes.

There was little delay at the post. To a perfect start, His Excellency was the first to show, closely followed by Lieut. Gibson and Kentucky Farmer, with the field well bunched. When all were straightened out and the race had begun Lieut. Gibson took command from the momentary leader and began nodding off fast quarters with wonderful regularity. The pace rate of speed was terrific the first quarter, being run in :24-1/4, at the end of which the gallant pacemaker let out a link and running the third eighth in 0:11-1/2 was at the seven-eighths pole in :35-3/4. Boland now steadied the big colt by letting him rate right along. The fourth eighth in :12-1/4 carried him to the three-quarter pole in :48, a heart-breaking clip of the first half-mile of a mile and a quarter race.

Carrying 117 pounds as lightly as a feather, Lieut. Gibson still going easy, traversed the first three-quarters in 1:13-1/2. The conservative element among the backers of the favorite became uneasy at this stage of the race, fearing the horse would be unable to withstand the tremendous strain of the fast pace. A second time Boland took hold of the flying leader that with measured strides seemed to be annihilating distance and defying time.

A second glance at the field and all cause of doubt as to Gibson's ability to live at the flying clip was expelled. He was going easy, much easier than any horse behind him, and seemed only a horse out for a good stiff breeze. Pa.s.sed the mile ground in 1:40-2/5, he was only rating along three lengths in front of the tired His Excellency, with Scoggan's pair Florizar and Highland Lad, going well, but in no danger of overhauling the galloping leader.

Into the stretch, a novice could see that Gibson was going easy, and coming on the gallant colt pa.s.sed first under the wire by four lengths in front of Florizar that Van Dusen had most sensibly not driven to his limit when he found it impossible to overtake the great son of G. W. Johnson.

The time was 2:06-1/4, one and one-half seconds faster than the Kentucky Derby had ever been run.

TWENTY-SEVENTH DERBY 1901