History of the Kentucky Derby, 1875-1921 Part 16

Pool; Goldcrest Boy, 114, J. Kederis; Uncle Bryn, 117, J. McTaggart; Tetan, 117, J. Smyth; Norse King, 117, W. J. O'Brien; Booker Bill, 117, W.

Andress.

Winner Ch F, by Broomstick--Jersey Lightning. Trained by J. Rowe. Owner, H. P. Whitney.

FORTY-SECOND DERBY 1916

As old Rome raised her gates for the returning conqueror and turned over to him the city's keys so did Louisville surrender to-day to the spirit of the Derby.

Again must the mind go back to palmy days of the city by the Tiber to imagine anything like the scene when that crowd of 50,000 cheering persons saw Gov. Stanley present the victor's wreath to Loftus, the boy who rode George Smith, winner of the cla.s.sic.

It was a surrender complete, unequivocal and universal with all cla.s.ses, at all places and in every regard.

But perhaps it was not a surrender at all, for that spirit of the great Kentucky cla.s.sic gave to the city a gala day that even the carnival of Venice or Mardi Gras at New Orleans cannot surpa.s.s; it crowded the city with 25,000 strangers from far and near and, from the calculations of hotel men and others who come in immediate contact with the racing crowds, brought and left no less than one-half million out-of-town dollars to the Gateway of the South.

There was but one limit to the festivities of the day--the azure sky. If Louisville was joyful to see so many strangers within her walls and delighted in a day of sport that might befit dwellers of the Elysian Fields, she had yet another cause for gladness. Despite the efforts of "the East" to capture the Kentucky Derby for two seasons, the first and third horses in the cla.s.sic were "bred in old Kentucky."

The Derby was the fifth race on the card, and it was 5:15 o'clock when the horses reached the post. There was but little delay at the barrier, and within a minute they were on their way. Dodge, which ran coupled with Franklin as the Weber & Ward entry, was the first to show colors, and his stablemate dashed away right behind him. Dominant, which was coupled with Thunderer as the Harry Payne Whitney entry, followed the Weber & Ward pair, and he immediately dashed into a long lead.

Pa.s.sing the stand for the first time Dominant had a long lead and appeared to be running easily, but after reaching the back side of the track it was evident that he was not good enough to last it out. Franklin was running close to him and appeared to be ready to run over him. George Smith was in third position, and Jockey Johnny Loftus was carefully nursing him along reserving his speed for the gruelling drive through the stretch, which he knew must come. Nearing the three furlong pole Dominant gave it up and then Loftus called on George Smith.

The Sanford colt bounded to the front at a rapid rate and soon had a lead of a length over his field, with Franklin closest to him. Then it was that Star Hawk loomed up as a dangerous contender as he finally found his stride and had clear sailing. In the stretch, though, Loftus kept hard at work on George Smith, while Jockey Walter Lilley, who rode Star Hawk, was making vigorous efforts to get him up.

Between the sixteenth pole and the finish it looked as though Star Hawk could make it, but Loftus' experience served him well and he never drove a horse harder than he drove George Smith.

The showing of the Whitney pair was disappointing to the Eastern contingent and to Trainer James Rowe himself, who was the picture of confidence before the race. Thunderer did not show to advantage at any stage of the race, but he finally managed to beat his stablemate, he finishing fifth, and Dominant seventh.

Nine three-year old colts contested for the race, Bulse, Huffaker and St.

Isidore being scratched.

George Smith is entirely of English blood, both his sire, Out of Reach, and his dam, Consuelo II., being of imported blood. His sire is now owned by the New York turfman, James Butler.

The Derby was worth gross $13,200. The winner's net share was $9,750, while the second horse, Star Hawk, took down $2,000; the third horse, Franklin, $1,000, and the fourth horse, Dodge, saved his stake of $225.

The time, 2:04, has only once been beaten in the Derby, being second to the mark of 2:03-2/5, scored by Old Rosebud in 1914, which is still the Kentucky Derby race record.

Jockey John Loftus, who rode George Smith to victory in the Kentucky Derby, is a native of Chicago, Ill., where his parents reside. He has long been regarded one of the leading riders of America, and is now under contract to James Butler. He only came West this spring to ride George Smith at Lexington and in the Derby, and will return to New York at once to his employer. Loftus was long connected with the stable of J. B.

Respess and was also awhile with the J. Livingston stable. He rode one season in France and made good there, the same as he has in this country.

John Sanford, the owner of George Smith, is a son of the noted turfman of the same surname, who raced such great horses as Caughnawaga, Rockton, Chuctanunda, Mohawk II. and Molly Brant. The Sanford place is Hurricana Stud, near Amsterdam, N. Y., where is also located the Sanford carpet manufacturing plant. It is at Hurricana Stud that George Smith will do stud service when his turf career is over.

George Smith, the winner of the forty-second renewal of the historic and cla.s.sic Kentucky Derby, is a superbly made black colt of average good size and much quality, with a superior way of going. He is very sightly in appearance and has a perfect track disposition.

He was bred in Mercer County, Kentucky, at the Fountainbue Stud of Chinn & Forsythe, and was sold at a fall sale of yearlings at the Latonia track for $1,600, being the second highest priced yearling sold at that time. Ed McBride, at that sale, left considerable money with Lou Tauber to buy three yearlings, one of these was George Smith, another was Tom Elwood, and the other was Eddie Henry, both of which have won stake races for McBride.

SUMMARY

May 13, 1916. Track fast. $10,000 added. Value to winner $9,750, second $2,000, third $1,000. Time 22-2/5, 46-2/5, 1.12-1/5, 1.38-4/5, 2.04.

George Smith, 117, J. Loftus 1 Star Hawk, 117, W. Lilley 2 Franklin, 117, T. Rice 3

Dodge, 117, F. Murphy; Thunderer, 117, T. McTaggart; The c.o.c.k, 110, M.

Garner; Dominant, 117, J. Notter; Kinney, 117, L. Gentry; Lena Misha, 117, E. Dugan.

Winner black colt, by Out-of Reach--Consuelo II. Owned by John Sanford.

Trained by H. Hughes.

FORTY-THIRD DERBY 1917

Mindful still of the war time, but mindful more of the play time--of Kentucky's great play day of the May time--35,000 citizens of everywhere came from the high and low places of earth to-day to make Derby Day in Louisville what Derby Day always had been.

When a Maytime sun flushes the bluegra.s.s of Churchill Downs, dapples the satin coats of thoroughbreds and touches to brilliancy the brave green and gold of paddock, lawn and infield, when a hawthornscented breeze, straight from the wooded hills of Jacob Park, ripples the gleaming folds of "Old Glory," when Senators and Governors, multi-millionaires and internationally famous beauties foregather for the running of the Derby, when the motion picture cameras are licking, when the bands are playing, and the bugles sounding "Boots and Saddles," it is time to heed Omar's advice:

"Come, fill the cup, and in the fire of spring Your winter garment of repentance fling!"

There were, indeed, no "winter garments of repentance" in evidence at the Down to-day but instead such Far Eastern colors, such vivid touches of Chinese red and jade green, such oriental embroideries, such swirling military capes and coats that had their inspiration in the army as to convert the Downs into a picture that suggested some vast canvas by Velasquez.

The wise man who once declared that "four things greater than all things are: Women and horses and power and war" would have found his dictum translated into living proof to-day, for added to the beauty of the women who graced the Downs, added to the fleetness of the satin-coated horses, and the power that is Kentucky, there was the suggestion of patriotism that can only translate itself in war. The olive-drab of the First Kentucky Infantry formed a fitting background for the striking picture presented by clubhouse lawn, verandas and boxes. "Old Glory" rippled and fluttered and the notes of the bugle stirred the immense throng to one single impulse of patriotism. The feeling that if fate should decree that on the next Derby days some of "our boys" should be in France, and nearer Longchamps than Churchill Downs, that Kentucky will be sure to "place a wager for them" instead of "turning down an empty gla.s.s," was everywhere expressed.

Meanwhile, it seemed that "the loveliest, and the best" of Louisville, of Kentucky, and of the nation, were "star-scattered on the gra.s.s" of the clubhouse. In fact, the Rubaiyat of the Kentucky Derby was written to-day, and the chestnut-coated, satin-smooth Omar Khayyam won no less in the clubhouse than on the race course for everywhere the Far Eastern, the Persian, the Oriental touch was in evidence. There were Arab coats, pongees, and tussahs, silks of Oriental weave, and fabrics that were dyed in the self-same tints, and embroidered in the self-same designs and motifs as those that greeted the eyes of Omar Khayyam centuries ago.

Automobiles in a long line that narrowed close to the course and bore thousands from all quarters of the city filled all the inclosures and the open s.p.a.ces near the park. Street cars, embracing nearly all the emergency equipment of the railway company, ran in an almost continuous line, southbound, for several hours on Fourth street. Many lovers of the sport and the occasion took the footpaths for the exercise.

At any rate, 1:30 o'clock found no less than 30,000 persons within Churchill Downs. It found them likewise at attention as a body of soldiers, led by a soldier band, marched in from the north gate, drawing up before a large flagstaff in the center of the infield.

When 30,000 persons are of one mind, and are gathered in silence in one place, there is eloquence in the air. The very breeze gives a thrill. When the Star Spangled Banner and a Kentucky Derby in wartime are turned loose on such a vast gathering of Americans the heart thumps mightily. In that gathering were men who have seen the ravages of war and men who expect to feel its blight; men in the khaki and men hoping soon to don it. And so, when the regiment boys burst into the anthem as a large flag was raised along with two smaller ones, the crowd rose, held its silence until the band ceased, and then broke into a mighty cheer.

It was nearly 5 o'clock when the bugle sounded calling the horses to the post. The long procession of fifteen, led by the outrider on a gray horse, garbed in a fiery red jacket, made an imposing picture. The gay silks of the jockeys, with the verdant infield for a background, handed just the right touch of color to the scene. Down past the grandstand and clubhouse they pranced, and here they were all given cheers. It takes Kentucky racing audiences to grow enthusiastic, and they know how to do it. On the way to the post Ticket, the favorite, was the most nervous one of the lot, prancing and dancing throughout the stretch. All others were a well behaved lot.

It took the starter four minutes to get them in alignment, and then the grand old shout of "They're off!" shot out from the grandstand and was spent on the distant green hills.

Ticket dashed into the lead, but Stargazer soon a.s.sumed command, with Berlin forcing the pace at his side. They swept past the grandstand at a stirring clip, the field strung out as the riders jockeyed for positions.

On went Stargazer, his dazzling pace tearing at the hearts of those who attempted to follow it. Berlin curled up from the effort and dropped back, beaten, as the band sped up the back stretch. Ticket still held on and it was plain that he was the horse the winner would have to beat.

As they rounded the turn by the old clubhouse Rickety made his move. He seemed to have the speed of his party and rapidly mowed down his opposition. At the quarter pole Rickety flashed in front, but it was only for an instant. He appeared to suddenly weaken and Ticket headed the procession.

Meanwhile one of the cleverest riders in America was nestling low over the neck of a big chestnut colt. As the field pa.s.sed the grandstand the first time he was in tenth place. There he continued around the curve and into the back stretch. Out in front he could see the flying leaders, but his mount was running smoothly, and as they pa.s.sed the half mile pole he noticed he was shortening the distance that he must make up. He was satisfied with his position. But suddenly every hope was threatened. He was borne over against the rail and his mount was knocked off his stride.

But Borel did not despair. He took back until the way was clear and pa.s.sed the mile mark in sixth place.

The flying leaders swung a trifle wide into the stretch and left an opening on the rail. Borel did not hesitate. Along the white fence he took Omar. In a couple of jumps his mount was at Ticket's rump. Steadily he moved toward the front, past saddle girth and withers. He soon was stretching fiery nostrils alongside the bay colt's neck, and then Omar Khayyam's blaze face showed in front, and in the last hundred yards commenced to draw away and swept under the wire winner by two lengths.

The Kentucky Derby; one mile and a quarter; for three-year olds; purse, $15,000 added; net value to the winner, $16,600; $2,500 to second, $1,000 to third, $275 to fourth. Fractional Time--0:23-3/5, 0:47-3/5, 1:12-4/5, 1:38, 2:04-3/5.