History of the Kentucky Derby, 1875-1921 Part 2

Johnson & Mills' b g Dan K., by imp. Bonnie Scotland, dam Jennie June, 97 lbs., McGrath 0

D. Swigert's b c Lisbon, by imp. Phaeton, dam imp. Lady Love, 100 lbs., Dougla.s.s 0

L. B. Field's b c Headlight, by Bayonet, dam Olivia, 100 lbs., Shelton 0

Time--2:38

Betting--Leonard, $400; Field, $430.

FOURTH DERBY 1878

No better evidence would be wanted of the popularity and growing interest in racing than was the case to-day, the opening of the Spring meeting of the Louisville Jockey Club. The club have struck the keynote of success in throwing open the inner field free to the public, which was graced to-day by some six or eight thousand people, as well behaved and orderly an a.s.semblage as has ever been seen collected together. They came on foot, in every sort and kind of vehicles, and the grand stand and every other available s.p.a.ce was full to overflowing to witness the first day, which gave one of the best races ever witnessed in America. But we must not antic.i.p.ate our report. The sport proved to be of an interesting and most exciting character, and those who were present were more than repaid. This a.s.sociation has been extremely fortunate in the way of weather, and to-day was no exception to the rule. The track was in admirable order, but many thought it was fully two seconds slow. The day was fine and springlike, a slight breeze tempering the otherwise warm rays of the sun. The fields, considering the number of horses on the grounds, were not as large as many antic.i.p.ated, but as the favorites were overthrown, the crowd shouted themselves hoa.r.s.e with joy.

For the Kentucky Derby, out of 56 nominations nine splendid colts faced the starter. Himyar was such a big favorite, 3 to 1 over the field, that he was left out of the pools, and Day Star was next in favor, closely pushed by Bergundy and Leveller. The result is easily told. Day Star made all his running and won the race like the first-cla.s.s colt that he is, just as he did the Blue Ribbon at Lexington. Himyar was miserably ridden, and ran fully sixty or seventy-five yards farther in the race than was necessary. This defeat does not lessen him in our estimation, and we look upon him as the greatest colt of the year, with Day Star little inferior.

After three or four false starts the lot were sent away to a capital one, except for Charlie Bush, Bergundy, and the favorite, Himyar, who seemed to hang fire, which enabled the lot to get some six to ten lengths the start.

At the half-mile pole Day Star was first, McHenry second, Respond third, Leveller fourth, Solicitor fifth, Earl of Beaconsfield sixth, Charlie Bush seventh, Burgundy eighth, and Himyar ninth. Day Star cut out the work at rapid rate, no change occurring at the three-quarter pole. Day Star pa.s.sed the stand two lengths in front of McHenry, Respond third, Leveller fourth, Himyar fifth, Charlie Bush sixth, Solicitor seventh, Earl of Beaconsfield eighth, and Burgundy, who was knocked to his knees on the lower turn, ninth. Day Star held his lead round the turn and after pa.s.sing the quarter-pole; Himyar, who was ridden miserably, running on the extreme outside on the turn, took second place, with Leveller third. The race was now over; Day Star was never headed and won easily by two lengths, the spur being freely applied with an occasional touch of the whip in the last quarter; Himyar second, four lengths in front of Leveller, third, followed by Solicitor, McHenry, Respond, Burgundy, Earl of Beaconsfield, and Charlie Bush in the order named. Quarter 25; half 50; three-quarters 1:16-1/2; mile 1:43; mile and a quarter 2:09-1/4; the race 2:37-1/4.

DESCRIPTION OF WINNER

Day Star is a chestnut colt, with star and light stripe down the face, three white stockings, a little white on the left hind pastern, and gray hairs scattered through the flank. He is 15 hands 2-1/2 inches high, is an extremely handsome colt, neat head, stout strong neck, well inclined shoulders, extraordinary short stout back, well coupled, broad flat ribs, drops down full in the flank, good hips and quarters, immense stifles, broad flat legs which he keeps well under him and has an extra turn of speed. Day Star was bred by Jno. M. Clay, Esq., Ashland, near Lexington, Ky., and purchased a yearling by T. J. Nichols, Paris, Ky., for $825, by Star Davis out of Squeez'em by Lexington, her dam Skedaddle by imp.

Yorks.h.i.+re, out of Magnolia, by imp. Glencoe, the dam of Daniel Boone, Kentucky Gilroy, &c., &c. Day Star has a double Glencoe cross through his sire Star Davis, and his great grandam Magnolia.

SUMMARY

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds; $50 p. p., with $1,500 added; second to have $200. Dash of 1-1/2 miles. 56 nominations, three of whom are dead. Value $4,150. Colts 100 lbs., fillies 97 lbs.

T. J. Nichols' ch c Day Star, by Star Davis, dam Squeez'em, Carter 1

B. G. Thomas' b c Himyar, by Alarm, dam Hira, Robinson 2

R. H. Owen's b c Leveller, by Lever, dam Sly Boots, Swim 3

L. P. Tarlton, Jr.'s b c Solicitor by Enquirer, dam Sallie, Edward 0

Gen. A. Buford's ch c McHenry, by Enquirer, dam Ontario, James 0

Rodes & Carr's b c Respond, by Enquirer, dam by imp. Bonnie Scotland, Ramey 0

J. M. Wooding's ch c Burgundy, by imp. Bonnie Scotland, dam La Bluette, L. Jones 0

A. Straus & Co.'s ch c Earl of Beaconsfield, by Enquirer, dam Geneura, Mahoney 0

Jennings & Hunt's b c Charlie Bush, by John Morgan, dam Annie Bush, Miller 0

Time--2:37-1/4

Betting--Himyar $305; Field $110. With Himyar out, Day Star, Burgundy and Leveller sold about even.

FIFTH DERBY 1879

For the Kentucky Derby, Lord Murphy was made the favorite at nearly even against the field, and fully justified the high opinion in which he is held by his friends in running the fastest Kentucky Derby on record. His trainer, George H. Rice, brought him to the post in the pink of order.

Though Falsetto and Strathmore were defeated they lost no credit and proved themselves excellent colts, and we should not be surprised to see Falsetto rank yet with the best of the year.

The entire lot went away like a platoon of cavalry in line to a beautiful start, Gen. Pike in the lead, Strathmore second, Lord Murphy, who got knocked to his knees on the first turn, third, Wissahicon fourth, Trinidad fifth, One Dime sixth, Ada Glen seventh, Buckner eighth, Falsetto ninth.

Half way round the turn the lot were so closely bunched that it was impossible to distinguish the colors in the clouds of dust. At the three-quarter pole Ada Glen was first, lapped by Gen. Pike, Strathmore and Lord Murphy. At the stand Gen. Pike was a head in front of Strathmore second, he lapped by Trinidad, then came the second division a length off, composed of One Dime, Wissahicon, Lord Murphy and Ada Glen, followed by Buckner eighth and Falsetto ninth. They had hardly gone under the string until Strathmore was a length in front of Gen. Pike, who was lapped by Trinidad. Going round the turn the pace was fast, Strathmore still leading at the quarter pole. Just after pa.s.sing the quarter Lord Murphy took second place, One Dime third, Gen. Pike and Trinidad dropping back. Before reaching the half-mile Lord Murphy lapped and showed in front of Strathmore second, One Dime third, Falsetto fourth. Lord Murphy was a length in front on the lower turn and at the three-quarter pole, Strathmore second, two lengths in front of One Dime third, who was lapped by Falsetto. Entering the stretch Falsetto came with a rush and pa.s.sed One Dime and Strathmore and half way down lapped Lord Murphy. A most exciting race took place between the pair to within forty yards of the stand, where Lord Murphy drew clear and won the race by a length and a half, Falsetto second, three lengths in front of Strathmore third, followed by Trinidad fourth, Ada Glen fifth, One Dime sixth, Gen. Pike seventh, Buckner eighth, Wissahicon ninth. Mile 1:45; race 2:37.

DESCRIPTION OF WINNER

Lord Murphy (formerly Patmos), bay colt, star and snip running down over the nostrils, with two white heels behind extending nearly half way to the hocks. He stands full 15 hands 3-1/2 inches high, has a neat head and neck, plenty of length, good hips, quarters and stifles, with sound feet and legs. He has a great turn of speed, the first and greatest requisite in a race horse, and is a Lexington looking youngster, and must bring his sire, Pat Malloy, prominently to the front as one of the best sons of Lexington at the stud.

Lord Murphy was bred by J. T. Carter, Gallatin, Tenn., and purchased the spring he was two years old by Messrs. G. W. Darden and G. H. Rice of Nashville, Tenn., by Pat Malloy, out of Wenonah by Capt. Elgee, her dam by imp. Albion, out of a mare by Pacific, running back through Bet Bosley, by imp. Bl.u.s.ter to imported Mare of Harrison of Brandon.

SUMMARY

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds, $50 entrance, play or pay, with $1,500 added; $200 to second horse; dash of one mile and a half. Value of stake $3,800. Colts 100 lbs., fillies and geldings 97 lbs. 46 nominations.

Geo. W. Darden & Co.'s br c Lord Murphy, by Pat Malloy, dam Wenonah, Shauer 1

J. W. H. Reynolds' b c Falsetto, by Enquirer, dam Farfalletta, Murphy 2

George Cadwillader's b c Strathmore, by Waverly, dam Brenna, Hightower 3

D. Swigert's br c Trinidad, by Australian, dam Bonnett, Allen 0

G. W. Bowen & Co.'s ch c One Dime, by Wanderer, dam by Scythian, Jones 0

A. Buford's General Pike, by Longfellow, dam Nannie McNairy, Stovall 0

H. W. Farris' ch c Buckner, by Buckden, dam Tick, Edwards 0

H. P. McGrath's br f Wissahicon, by Leamington, dam Sarong, Hawkins 0

G. D. Wilson's ch f Ada Glen, by Glenelg, dam Catina, Ramie 0

Time--2:37