History of the Kentucky Derby, 1875-1921 Part 14

Time 2:05 (equals track record). Value to winner $4,850, second $700, third $300.

Meridian, 117, G. Archibald 1-3/4 length Governor Gray, 119, Troxler 2-15 Colston, 110, Conley 3-2 Jack Denman, 117, Wilson 4 Mud Sill, 107, Koerner 5 Round the World, 117, McGee 6 Col. Hogan, 110, McIntyre 7

$2 mutuels paid $7.80 straight. At post 2 minutes. Start good, won driving, second and third same.

Meridian, b c, 3, by Broomstick--Sue Smith. Owned by R. F. Carman, trained by A. Ewing.

DESCRIPTION OF RACE

Meridian, Kentucky-bred, but Eastern-owned, triumphantly carried the colors of R. F. Carman to the front in the thirty-seventh Kentucky Derby in record time and before a record crowd at Churchill Downs to-day. The Derby was run from "eend to eend" as Frank Harper of Ten Broeck and Longfellow fame, used to say, for the winner set a heart-breaking pace and had the stamina to last the route and get home a scant length in front of Governor Gray. The latter was about 15 lengths in front of Colston, the dark horse for the Derby. The time 2:05, a new mark for the Derby. The best time ever recorded for the sixteen blue ribbon events which have been run at this distance was made by Lieut. Gibson in 1900, when 2:06-1/4 was made. It also equaled the track record made last year by Royal Report. The race was not a gallop for Meridian for he was a tired horse at the finish and was exceedingly well handled at the end by Jockey G. Archibald.

Governor Gray had some bad luck. He was next to the fence going round the first turn, and Troxler was forced to take him back, and he was lengths behind the pacemaker going into the back stretch. The others were not in the same cla.s.s with the two placed horses and only figured in the race for the first mile. Probably Colston will do better in the next effort and the same could be said of Mud Sill and Jack Denman.

It was 4:55 when the first of the Derby contingent filed through the gate to lead the parade of the field past the sands. The huge crowd applauded vigorously as the horses filed past the clubhouse, where they turned and slowly came back again on the outside. It was easy to tell which was the favorite as Governor Gray got a great reception. After pa.s.sing the betting shed the field cantered to the post with Mars Ca.s.sidy galloping up to the same point on a fiery steed and on the steeplechase track, while the crowd in the field kidded him a bit. There was but a moment's delay at the barrier. The field would have gotten away at the first line-up, but for Round the World which acted sour and Jack Denman. They were quickly lined up again and in a jiffy Ca.s.sidy yelled "Come on!" and the horses were on their way. The start was a good one for all but Col. Hogan, which was last to break, and when he did go went very wide and that settled his chances once for all.

Meridian went to the front at once and ere the field had reached the judges' stand he was three lengths in front and setting a pace that had the others on their toes. Round the World was second a couple of lengths in front of Colston, which was some lengths in front of Mud Sill, with Jack Denman and Governor Gray close up. Col. Hogan trailed the field.

At the first turn, Governor Gray, which was next to the rail was shut off and Troxler was forced to take him back, and for a few moments it looked as if he were going to be displaced by Col. Hogan. The field went up the back stretch in Indian file, Meridian under gentle restraint but still burning up the track, Round the World hanging on gamely and Colston still holding third position. As the field swept up the backstretch and neared the half mile pole, Governor Gray which was eating up ground, loomed up and was soon in a position to overhaul the leaders. Troxler had him full on his stride and rounding the turn, pa.s.sed Colston and soon pa.s.sed Round the World, and there was but one horse to catch and victory was his. But that was a hard task as Meridian was still moving along in great style turning the mile in phenomenal time for a race of that distance. The whole field was under whip and spur when straightened for home, except the Carman colt. As the eighth pole was neared he began to shorten his stride and the cry went up "Governor Gray's got him." But this was premature and wrong, for Archibald holding the colt together, urged him on, handriding and he maintained his advantage of over a length until the sixteenth pole, where he swerved over in front of Governor Gray, on which Troxler was making a final effort, but it was not for the Governor. The ground he lost on the first turn and the effort to make it up told on him and right at the finish his nose was opposite Meridian's tail. Many lengths back came Colston, which was a couple of lengths in front of Mud Sill and Jack Denman, which finished close together in the order named, then Round the World pulled to a walk and Col. Hogan, which had been eased up some time.

THIRTY-EIGHTH DERBY 1912

Worth, the favorite, won the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs this afternoon, just beating a heavy rainstorm, and by so doing saving the day for the moving-picture operators. The Kentucky Derby of 1912, the thirty-eighth renewal of the cla.s.sic stake event, went to the horse which nine out of every ten hors.e.m.e.n and turf patrons conceded to have the race at his mercy. He did not win as easily as many expected, but he won, just lasting long enough to get the money and the honor from a dark horse.

Duval, which would have paid 20 to 1 had he popped in front, was second, and Flamma, the only filly in the contest, was third. The time, 2:09-2/5, is about four seconds slower than that made by Meridian, the winner last year. Worth won by a neck, while Duval was five lengths in front of the filly, Flamma.

Worth established his claim to the three-year old champions.h.i.+p for the 1912 season, although he will have to win many more races this year to hold that t.i.tle. At the present time he is the best of all three-year olds. To-day, just as last season, there were many doubting Thomases regarding his ability and cla.s.s. It took the celebrated match race at Latonia last fall to convince these persons that he was the best two-year old out in 1911, and this spring the Kentucky Derby race is the one which sweeps aside all chances for an argument.

The colt was dead tired when the race was finished, and had to be urged hard in the last furlong. He was "prepped" for this race, and lasted long enough to win it, which ends all arguments what might have happened had the race been 20 or 30 yards more. s.h.i.+lling, who rode him, announced before the race that he did not intend to have mud slung in his eyes, and he kept his word. The beaten ones in the contest had no excuse; they were beaten fairly and squarely, luck never entering into the result in the least.

There were no unusual incidents connected with the preliminaries to the big race. The crowd during the interval between the ending of the third and the time to go to the post in the big event, wended its way to the paddock and stood several deep around the railing, each and every one anxious to get a good look at the contenders. Promptly at 4:30 they left the paddock and paraded down past the judges' stand. Flamma, the only filly in the race, leading the procession, but she was a little shy and on several occasions refused to come down in front. Wheelwright, with Byrne up, followed with free Lance, sporting the colors of George J. Long, the Louisville turfman, leading Guaranola, which was directly in front of the favorite, Worth. Sonada and Duval brought up in the rear in the order named. The clouds were hanging quite low and it was doubtful if the race would be finished before the rain fell.

The horses pranced down the stretch to the quarter pole, where Starter Ca.s.sidy told riders just what was expected of them. Several times they could have been let go, but Flamma was still in an ugly mood and she broke up many perfect starts. After about two minutes of work at the post the simultaneous cry from 18,000 throats proclaimed the fact that the big race was on.

s.h.i.+lling pushed Worth into the lead, and the big brown son of Knight of the Thistle went about his work in a determined manner. He needed no urging to keep him in front and ran straight and true under the clever guidance of his rider. Free Lance cut across at the start and took the second position, laying back of Worth about a length, although Wheelwright breaking first, did not get to going right away. Sonada broke well, with Duval only a short distance back. Guaranola was a couple of lengths behind soon after they got to going, with Flamma bringing up in the rear, the filly having been caught unawares. s.h.i.+lling took no chances with the Hallenbeck colt, but held him right to his knitting, coming down the stretch for the first time.

Pa.s.sing the wire, Worth was easily a length and a half to the good of Free Lance, which was laying back in a contending position at all times. A length back of Free Lance, hugging the rail, came Sonada, which was only a head in front of Duval. Wheelwright followed Duval, being three lengths back of him. Guaranola was two lengths in front of Flamma, which gives an idea of the poor start gotten by the filly. Around the turn going into the backstretch, Worth was still leading by his length and a half advantage.

Free Lance was still holding on, although half a length separated the Alvescot colt from Guaranola, which had slipped up on the rail. Duval was laying back in fourth place on the outside, being half a length in front of Flamma, which had pa.s.sed Sonada and Wheelwright. Sonada had dropped into last place and Wheelwright was not much better, both of them running neck and neck for the b.o.o.by prize. It was plain to all that they were outcla.s.sed and the crowd pa.s.sed them up and centered all their attention on the leaders. Away over on the far turn, those without gla.s.ses could still distinguish that Worth was in the lead, although it was growing dark fast. They also noticed that Duval had slipped upon the inside and was now only a length behind the Hallenbeck champion. Flamma, on the outside, had also pa.s.sed Free Lance, and it was quite patent here that the Long colt could not go the route, for Guaranola had also pa.s.sed him. Sonada and Wheelwright were trailing nearly ten lengths back. Worth still held his advantage turning into the stretch, but s.h.i.+lling was becoming nervous, for he felt the colt was tiring.

It was now a question with him as to whether he could stick out the last furlong. Drawing his whip he gave him a couple of blows and the big fellow hung on. Duval was only a length back and in this way they raced to the sixteenth pole, with Flamma in third place. Duval was gradually gaining on Worth and Fain started to ride hard. s.h.i.+lling again pulled his whip at the sixteenth pole and applied it vigorously. It was well he did, for the colt was dead tired, but still game. Fain had no whip, but proceeded to give Duval a hand ride. s.h.i.+lling held Worth's head straight during the last gruelling sixteenth and the colt dashed before the grand stand a neck ahead of Duval. Fain rode his mount out, but he could not get up in time.

Five lengths back of Duval came Flamma, after running a good, game race.

Four lengths behind Flamma was the dead tired Free Lance, a length ahead of Guaranola. Sonada finished away back and Wheelwright was pulled up.

Worth had won and the crowd was satisfied that the best horse was the victor. As was said before, there is no use considering "if the race had been a few yards longer" the result might have been different.

The jockeys hurried back to the grand stand, the usual wreath was placed about the neck of Worth, s.h.i.+lling was given a bouquet of roses and then came the deluge.

SUMMARY

May 11, 1912. Track muddy. Purse $6,000. Net value to the winner $4,850.

1-1/4 miles. Time, :24-3/5, :49-2/5, 1:16-1/5, 1:42-3/5, 2:09-2/5.

Worth, br c, by Knight of the Thistle--Miss Hanover, 117 lbs., ridden by C. H. s.h.i.+lling. Won by a neck; 4 to 5. Duval, 2nd, Fain. Flamma, 112 lbs.

Loftus, Third. Also ran Free Lance, Peak; Guaranola, Molesworth; Sonada, Koerner; Wheelwright, Byrne. Owner H. C. Hallenbeck. Trainer F. M. Taylor.

THIRTY-NINTH DERBY 1913

Seldom in the history of Churchill Downs has there been a prettier start in the Derby than that of to-day. At the post less than a minute, the horses wheeled in perfect alignment and were away like a shot. Jimmie Gill had a momentary advantage, but was headed by Ten Point in a flash and the big Easterner pa.s.sed the stand for the first time two lengths to the good.

Foundation was in second place, with Yankee Notions third, and Leochares the Gowell close up, and Jimmie Gill by this time a trailer.

Ten Point was rank and Buxton had difficulty restraining him in the next quarter, causing him to go the first half in 0:47-4/5 and adding another length's advantage over the others. Foundation was still in second place, and Yankee Notions, running well within himself, half a length away, with Gowell fourth next the inner rail. Donerail, on which Goose was riding a perfect race, was beginning to steel up in steady fas.h.i.+on. Gowell was given bungling handling by the diminutive McCabe and was also suffering from b.u.mping. Leochares was thoroughly done for after the first half, and Lord Marshall and Jimmie Gill were also out of it to all intents and dropped rearward steadily. There was a general closing up by the first five in the next quarter, but Ten Point still held to a slight lead until the stretch turn was reached, where Buxton found his mount wavering and he began using his whip. At this time Yankee Notions was pa.s.sing Foundation, and the supporters of the Knapp representative gave a shout of joy, for it was expected by them if Yankee Notions got to Ten Point before the stretch turn he would make short s.h.i.+ft of the favorite in the battle to the finish.

Unexpectedly, Yankee Notions weakened just when his chances appeared best and the Ten Point supporters again took heart, but their hopes went glimmering shortly after when Donerail shot out of the bunch and headed the others in the last furlong. In the final drive Donerail easily held his own. Ten Point and Foundation were struggling gamely for the place at the last furlong post when the colt seemed to bore over a trifle. In the last sixteenth Foundation began weakening and Ten Point managed to get clear of him, but another menace loomed up for place honors in the shape of Gowell, though he succeeded in pa.s.sing the finis.h.i.+ng line in advance of her. Foundation was fourth and Yankee Notions fifth, the rest were distant trailers, with Leochares the whipper in.

A warm reception awaited the winner when the boy returned to the judges'

stand to weigh in. Jockey R. Goose was probably happier than Owner T. P.

Hayes.

It devolved on Governor James B. McCreary to present Jockey Goose with the bouquet of flowers given by the New Louisville Jockey Club to the winning jockey of the day. He said:

"Young man, I congratulate you. The highest compliment that any person can receive in life is that of success. You have met with great success to-day and are deserving of the honor now bestowed upon you. You were on a gallant horse and you rode a brilliant race."

Jockey Goose, in reply, bashfully said:

"Governor, I more than appreciate your compliment. I regard it as the greatest afternoon in my whole life for the reason that I was born and reared in Louisville and I have won Louisville's greatest race. I will never forget this day as long as I live. I will say for my mount that he did all I asked of him throughout the race. He held his position well in the early part and finished staunch and game when I called on him in the stretch. While I rode him to the best of my ability, I was on a good horse to-day."

FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THE RACE

Kentucky Derby; one mile and a quarter; for three-year olds; $5,000 added; net value to winner $5,475. Fractional Time--0:23-4/5, 0:47-4/5, 1:12-3/5, 1:39-3/5, 2:04-4/5, new record.

P.P. St. 1/4 1/2 3/4 S. F.

T. P. Hayes' Donerail, 117 Goose 5 3 6 1 6 1-1/2 5 1 5 2 1-1/2 A. L. Aste's Ten Point, 117 Buxton 4 4 1 2 1 3 1 2 1-1/2 2 1-1/2 J. T. Weaver's Gowell, 112 McCabe 3 2 5 2 4 h 4 1-1/2 4 1 3 h C. W. McKenna's Foundation, 117 Loftus 8 5 2 1 2-1/2 2 h 3-1/2 4nk H. K. Knapp's Yankee Notions, 117 Gla.s.s 6 7 3-1/2 3 h 3 1-1/2 2-1/2 5 5 J. O. & G. H. Keene's Lord Marshall, 117 Steele 1 8 7 1 7 1 6 2 6 1 6 8 Doerhoefer & West's Jimmie Gill, 110 Borel 2 1 8 8 8 7 10 7 15 J. W. Schorr's Leochares, 114 Peak 7 6 4 h 5-1/2 7 h 8 8

Donerail, the winner of the thirty-ninth Kentucky Derby, was raised on John S. Barbee's Glen-Helen Farm, near Lexington. Mr. Barbee keeps all of Mr. Hayes' mares. Ten Point, the second horse, was also raised on Mr.

Barbee's farm. Donerail gets his name from Donerail, a flag station near Lexington on the Q. & C. Railway.

Donerail was sired by imp. McGee, a stallion owned by Charles W. Moore, Mere Hill Stud, near Lexington. McGee was imported from England by E.

Corrigan and raced in this country by that turfman with much success.

Algie M., the dam of Donerail, is by Hanover out of Johnetta, by Bramble.

Her sire lines are those of Kentucky Derby winners, Hanover, her sire, having gotten Halma, winner of the event in 1895, which in turn, sired Alan-a-Dale the victor in the race in 1902, whereas Bramble, sire of her grandam, got Ben Brush, the Kentucky Derby winner of 1896.