History of the Kentucky Derby, 1875-1921 Part 4

Bowen & Co.'s br c Bengal 3 y o by Billet dam by Mahomet; 105 lbs., Fisher 3

J. B. Sellers & Co.'s ch c Wendover by Bullion, dam Experiment; 105 lbs., Hovey 0

W. Cottrill's ch c Harry Gilmore by Imp. Buckden, dam by Wagner; 105 lbs., Gibbs 0

P. C. Fox's ch c by Pat Malloy, dam Canary Bird; 105 lbs., Henderson 0

A. Jackson's b c Robt. Bruce by Rouseau, dam Barbary; 105 lbs., L. Jones 0

W. Lakeland's ch g Babc.o.c.k by Buckden, dam Ethel Sprague; 102 lbs., Kelso 0

T. J. Megibben's b c Newsboy by Enquirer, dam Mollie Hambleton; 105 lbs., Quantrell 0

Rodes & Carr's b c Wallensee by Waverley, dam Phasma; 107 lbs., Parker 0

L. P. Tarlton's b c Mistral by Virgil, dam Glenella; 105 lbs., Stoval 0

M. Young's ch g Lost Cause by King Alfonso, dam Nellie Knight; 102 lbs., Taylor 0

M. Young's b g Monogram by Buckden, dam Monomania; 106 lbs., Edwards 0

G. Kuhns & Co.'s ch c Highflyer by Hiawatha, dam Sue Wynne; 105 lbs., Brown 0

Time--2:40-1/4

Betting--Runnymede $700, Mistral $100, Wendover $100, Lost Cause $80, Robert Bruce $60, Bengal $60, Field $150.

DESCRIPTION AND PEDIGREE OF WINNER.

Apollo is a chestnut gelding, bred by D. Swigert, Preakness Stud, Lexington, Ky. He stands 15 hands half an inch high, and the only white is on the left hind pastern. He has a rather heavy, plain head, wide jowls, good stout neck, which fills up his shoulders well, mounts high on the withers, deep chest, good length, arched loin, long quarters and hips, with excellent, clean and bony legs. Apollo is by Imp. Ashstead or Lever (no doubt by the latter), out of Rebecca T. Price by The Colonel, her dam by Imp. Margrave, out of Rosalie Summers by Sir Charles, her dam Mischief by Virginian, out of a mare by Imp. Bedford, &c.

NINTH DERBY 1883

If the prospects of a successful meeting were somewhat dampened by the heavy fall of rain for three days previous to its inauguration, ample amends were made for the postponement by the bright and genial suns.h.i.+ne that ushered in Wednesday morning, and the large and brilliant crowd that was in attendance on Derby Day. This was more to be wondered at for the reason that the weather had been so unseasonable, great coats and a fire feeling remarkably comfortable. Indeed in looking at the vast sea of upturned faces, to be seen in the Grand Stand, the lawn and the field, we were reminded of witnessing our first English Derby, when Umpire, the first American candidate who had ever appeared for this cla.s.sic event, failed to obtain a place, and the race was won by Thormanby, a son of the renowned Alice Hawthorne, and what is remarkable, it happened on the same day, just twenty-three years ago.

At the first attempt the seven went away to a good start, Leonatus in the lead, Raglan second, Chatter third, followed by Kellar, Pike's Pride, Drake Carter and Ascender. Before reaching the three-quarter pole Chatter had taken second place to Leonatus, Raglan third, followed by Ascender, Kellar, Pride's Pike and Drake Carter. There was no change at the stand, and Leonatus was a length in front of Chatter at the quarter, Raglan third, Carter fourth, Ascender fifth, Kellar sixth, Pike's Pride last.

Before reaching the half Ascender made a spurt and was third, but he soon died away, Drake Carter taking third place. The truth of the whole affair summed up in a nut-sh.e.l.l is that Leonatus took the lead, made all his own running, was never headed, and won it in a big gallop by three lengths, Drake Carter second, a half length in front of Lord Raglan third, Ascender fourth, Kellar fifth, Pike's Pride sixth, Chatter last. First quarter 27-1/2, half 54, mile 1:49, race 2:43.

DESCRIPTION OF THE WINNER

Leonatus is a rich bay, blaze face, and two white heels behind above the pasterns. He stands full 15-3/4 hands high, and is certainly one of the smoothest and neatest sons of his distinguished sire. He has a neat, handsome head, stout neck, well inclined shoulders, good middle piece, with great length, excellent back and loins, and full hips and quarters, on sound good legs. He is rapid in motion, and keeps legs well under him.

He was bred by Mr. J. Henry Miller, Lexington, Ky., and sold last winter to his present owners for $5,000. He is engaged in fifteen more stakes this year.

SUMMARY

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds, $100 entrance, half forfeit, $20 if declared May 1st, 1882; $40 if declared May 1st, 1883, with $1,500 added; of which $200 to second, 1-1/2 miles. 50 entries, 3 void, 1 declared May, 1882, 8 declared May 1883; value $4,020.

Chinn & Morgan's b c Leonatus by Longfellow dam Semper Felix; 105 lbs., Donohue 1

Morris & Patton's b g Drake Carter by Ten Broeck, dam Platina; 102 lbs., Spillman 2

N. Armstrong's ch c Lord Raglan by Ten Broeck, dam Catina; 105 lbs., Quantrell 3

R. C. Pate's b g Ascender by Buckden, dam Ascension; 102 lbs., Stoval 0

George Evan's ch f Pike's Pride by Imp King Ban, dam Lou Pike; 102 lbs., Evans 0

W. C. McCurdy's b c Chatter by Whisper, dam Clarina; 105 lbs., Henderson 0

J. R. Watts' ch c Standiford Kellar by Great Tom, dam Blondin; 105 lbs., Blaylock 0

Time--2:43

Betting--Ascender $275, Leonatus $260, Raglan $135, Carter $125, Kellar $41, Chatter $35, Pike's Pride $20.

TENTH DERBY 1884

Every year the interest in the Kentucky Derby increases, and the desire to win also increases with breeders and owners, until it is looked upon as a mark of merit for the colt who is fortunate enough to bear off the Blue Ribbon of the Turf. More interest cl.u.s.ters in and about this race than any other of the year in America, and we have heard a number of prominent breeders and turfmen say that they would rather win the Kentucky Derby than any two events upon the American turf.

Bob Miles was slightly the favorite at the start, closely pressed by Buchanan and Audrain, and although the quality of the nine compet.i.tors was a little below the average that have run for the race, it seemed to lend an increased interest to the result. The horses were keenly criticised on their appearance and condition and little knots could be seen gathered together consulting as to who would win. Audrain who got b.u.mped about did not run up to his form and his race for the Blue Ribbon Stakes at Lexington, in the mud, seemed to have taken away his speed. The Admiral behaved badly, trying to bolt in the first quarter, and did run out at the head of the home stretch. Buchanan won quite easily, and how much he had in hand we are unable to say. Bob Miles seemed to labor from the start, and the running proved what we have said all the spring--that the Derby colts of this spring, taken as a cla.s.s, are far inferior to any previous year.

Nine went to the post and they were started out of the chute. After two or three breaks away the lot went off to a pretty start, Bob Miles in the lead, Powhattan III. second, Audrain third, followed by The Admiral, Loftin, Bob Cook, Exploit, Buchanan and Boreas. Entering the main track The Admiral was in the lead and tried to bolt, Bob Miles second, lapped by Loftin, the remainder of the lot bunched and in close order. Pa.s.sing the stand The Admiral was two lengths in front of Loftin second, a length ahead of Powhattan third, followed in close order by Bob Miles, Exploit, Audrain, Bob Cook, Buchanan and Boreas. There was no change at the quarter except Bob Miles had dropped back to seventh place. Pa.s.sing half they began to take closer order, The Admiral still leading about a length, Loftin second, Bob Miles, who got the whip on the back stretch, third, Bob Cook fourth, the rest bunched. Before reaching the three-quarters Loftin took the lead, The Admiral behaving badly and dropping back, Buchanan and Bob Miles lapped second and third, Audrain fourth. Entering the stretch Buchanan took the lead and showed signs of an inclination to run out, but Murphy soon straightened him and he came away and won quite easily by a length and a half, Loftin second three parts of a length in front of Audrain third, Bob Miles fourth, followed by Bob Cook, Boreas, The Admiral, Exploit and Powhattan III. in the order named. First half 52-1/2, first mile 1:47, race 2:40-1/4.

DESCRIPTION OF WINNER

Buchanan is a good chestnut with a small star, and stands full 16 hands high. He is a very handsome colt, with a level and symmetrical frame on sound legs. The most fastidious critic could but be pleased with his general formation and racing-like look. He was bred jointly by Capt.

Cottrill, Mobile, Ala., and J. W. Guest, Danville, Ky. The latter sold his half interest to Capt. Cottrill, who in turn sold a half interest in him and his stable in training to Capt. S. S. Brown of Pittsburgh, Pa. This is Buchanan's maiden win. He started six times at two years old, was second five times and third once. He has started twice at three years old. He was unplaced in the Belle Meade Stakes at Nashville, 1-1/4 miles. He bolted and finished second but second place was given to Exploit on a claim of a foul, and won the Derby above. He has twenty-four additional three-year-old engagements. He is by Buckden, out of Mrs. Grigsby by Wagner, her dam Folly by Imp. Yorks.h.i.+re, out of Imp. Fury by Imp. Priam, &c.

SUMMARY

Third Race--The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds, $100 entrance, half forfeit, $20 if declared May 1st, 1883; $40 if declared May 1st, 1884, with $1,500 added; of which $200 to second. 1-1/2 miles. 51 subs, of whom 16 declared and 3 dead. Value $4,190.

W. Cottrill's ch c Buchanan by Buckden, dam Mrs. Grigsby; 110 lbs., Murphy 1

R. A. Johnson & Co.'s b c Loftin by Monarchist, dam Lilly Babbitt; 110 lbs., Sayres 2

T. J. Megibben's ch c Audrain by Springbok, dam Alme; 110 lbs., Fishburn 3