History of the Kentucky Derby, 1875-1921 Part 3

Betting--Lord Murphy $175, Strathmore and Falsetto $60 each, Trinidad $45, Ada Glen $25, Field $30.

SIXTH DERBY 1880

The Derby was booked a moral for Kimball. While it was a great disappointment to his backers to see him lower his colors to Fonso, he lost no credit in the race, for in our judgment it is by odds the best Derby ever run since its inauguration, when everything is taken into consideration. The colts carried _five pounds more_ this year than heretofore, and the track was certainly a second slower than we have seen it any previous year, Fonso covering himself with honor, and must bring his sire prominently to the front. Fonso cut out his own work, did all the running, held the lead from start to finish, and won like a first-cla.s.s racehorse. The last mile was run in 1:44-1/4, and the last half in 51-1/4 seconds, showing it to be a splendid race. Such a performance as that of Kimball would have won five out of six Derbies.

With little or no delay the five went away to a good start, Fonso in the lead, lapped by Kimball, Boulevard third, Bancroft fourth, Quito fifth.

Fonso cut out the work at a good pace, and led Kimball by a length at the three-quarters, which he held at the stand, Boulevard half a length from him, third, Quito fourth, Bancroft fifth. Going round the upper turn Fonso increased his lead and pa.s.sing the quarter was two lengths in front of Kimball second, Boulevard third, Quito fourth, Bancroft fifth, about a length each separating the last four named. Nearing the half mile Kimball drew up to Fonso, when the latter received a cut of the whip and darted away again, Bancroft taking third place, Boulevard fourth, Quito fifth. It was a beautiful race round the lower turn. Entering the stretch Kimball was at Fonso's quarters, the race being reduced to a match between the two. Fairly in the home stretch both were whipping, Fonso answering gamely to the three or four licks he received, came away and won a splendid race a little over a length, Kimball second, two lengths in front of Bancroft third, he a length in front of Boulevard fourth, and Quito four lengths from him finished fifth. Half mile 53-1/4, three-quarters 1:19-3/4, mile 1:46-1/4, race 2:37-1/2. The mile from the stand back to the stand was run in 1:44-1/4, and the last half mile in 51-1/4 seconds.

DESCRIPTION OF WINNER

Fonso is a dark chestnut colt, with a star and two white feet behind up over the pasterns. He has grown and thickened greatly since last year, and stands full 15-3/4 hands high. He is a very neat, wiry colt, with a good head and rather short neck, which runs into well inclined shoulders. He has great length of body, deep through the heart, good hips and stifles with sound feet and legs. He has the best of tempers, and is rather inclined to need forcing to make him run.

He was bred by A. J. Alexander, Woodburn Farm, Spring Station, Ky., and purchased as a yearling by J. S. Shawhan, Shawhan, Ky., for $200, by King Alfonso, out of imp. Weatherwitch by Weatherbit, her dam by Irish Birdcatcher, out of Colocynth.

SUMMARY

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds, $100 entrance, half forfeit, with $1,500 added, of which $200 to second. 1-1/2 miles, 47 entries, four of whom are dead. Value $3,850.

J. S. Shawhan's ch c Fonso, by King Alfonso, dam imp Weatherwitch, 105 lbs., Lewis 1

W. Cortrill's ch c Kimball, by Buckden, dam Meta H., 105 lbs., Lakeland 2

M. Young's ch c Bancroft, by Bonnie Scotland, dam Planchette, 105 lbs., Murphy 3

W. C. McGavock & Co.'s ch c Boulevard, by Bonnie Scotland, dam Mariposa, 105 lbs., Allen 0

Dwyer Bros.' b c Quito, by King Alfonso, dam Crucifix, 105 lbs., McLaughlin 0

Time--2:37-1/2

Betting--Kimball $700, Quito $362, Fonso $222, Bancroft $50, Boulevard $----.

SEVENTH DERBY 1881

On Tuesday morning, "Derby Day," the sun rose clear and not a cloud was to be seen, which with westerly wind was the precursor of a gloriously fine day. The attendance was very large. All the stands and betting enclosures were inconveniently crowded, and in the inner field the rails for near a quarter of a mile were lined with people from six to ten deep, while the field, clad in the greenest of spring verdure, was thickly dotted over with every variety of conveyance, from the cart to the splendid coach and landau.

For the Kentucky Derby, only half a dozen sported silk for this valuable and important event. Hindoo was such a big favorite that little money was wagered on him, he being the favorite at 5 to 2 over the field. The race was never in doubt, but Hindoo had to have the whip, his jockey giving him two raps as he entered the stretch, and he won easy at the finish by four lengths, Lelex beating Alfambra half a length for second place. The official time of the race, 2:40, is not correct, but will have to stand.

The party throwing the flag threw it as soon as the drum tapped, long before the horses reached the pole. The correct time is 2:38-1/2.

Calycanthus was not disposed to join his horses, but was finally brought up, Lelex in the lead, Calycanthus second, Hindoo third, Getaway fourth, Alfambra fifth, Sligo sixth. Before reaching the three-quarter pole Calycanthus took the lead, with Lelex second, Hindoo third. Pa.s.sing the stand Calycanthus was half a length in front of Hindoo, second, who was a like distance ahead of Lelex, third, followed by Sligo, Alfambra and Getaway. At the quarter Hindoo was a head in front of Calycanthus, Lelex third, Sligo fourth. Before reaching the half Lelex was a length in front and the cry went up that Hindoo, who was second, was beaten, Sligo third.

On the lower turn Hindoo moved up and showed in front, and on entering the stretch began to loaf a little, and his jockey gave him a couple of raps with the whip as a reminder, and he came away and won easy at the finish by four lengths. Lelex beat Alfambra a half length for second place, after a whipping race home. Sligo two lengths from Alfambra, fourth, Getaway fifth, Calycanthus sixth. Mile, 1:47-1/2; race, 2:40.

DESCRIPTION OF WINNER AND PEDIGREE

Hindoo is a dark bay colt, with a star in his forehead and a slight number of gray hairs running down his face, and right hind foot white up to the pastern. He has grown and thickened since last year, and will make a 16-hand horse. His head is plain but intelligent, and he has a stout neck, well inclined shoulders, stout middle piece, great depth through the heart, a trifle long in the back, good hips, quarters, and stifles, with sound feet and legs, and his action when extended is easy and frictionless. Hindoo was bred by D. Swigert, Stockwood farm, Spring Station, Ky., and purchased at two-years-old by his present owners for $15,000. He started nine times at two-years-old and won seven. He has started twice this season and won the Blue Ribbon 1-1/2 miles at Lexington, Ky., in 2:38, and the Kentucky Derby, 1-1/2 miles, at Louisville, in 2:40. He has twenty-four more engagements this year, and, barring accidents, in our opinion, they all lay at his mercy.

SUMMARY

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds; $100 each, half forfeit, or only $20 if declared out by May 1st, 1880, and $40 if declared out by May 1st, 1881, with $1,500 added; $200 to second, 1-1/2 miles. (62 subscribers, of whom 9 declared, and two of whom are void by death of nominator). Value $4,610. Colts 105 lbs., fillies and geldings 102 lbs.

Dwyer Bros,' b c Hindoo, by Virgil, dam Florine by Lexington; McLaughlin 1

B. G. Thomas' b g Lelex, by Lelaps, dam War Reel; A. Allen 2

G. W. Bowen & Co.'s b c Alfambra, by King Alfonso, dam Luileme; Evans 3

H. P. McGrath's ch c Sligo, by Tom Bowling dam Petty; Donohue 0

M. Young's b c Getaway, by Enquirer, dam by Colossus; Fisher 0

H. P. McGrath's b c Calycanthus, by Tom Bowling, dam Oleander; G.

Smith 0

Time--2:40

Betting--Hindoo $500, Lelex $70, McGrath $70, Alfambra $40, Getaway $25.

EIGHTH DERBY 1882

The fourteen candidates promptly a.s.sembled at the post, and at the fourth attempt the lot were sent away to a miserable, scattering start, Harry Gilmore in the lead, Babc.o.c.k second, Robert Bruce third, Bengal fourth, Runnymede fifth, followed by the Pat Malloy-Canary Bird colt, Apollo, Wallensee, Lost Cause, Wendover, Monogram, Highflyer, Newsboy and Mistral, the latter getting away six lengths behind Newsboy. Pa.s.sing the three-quarter pole Babc.o.c.k was first, Bruce second, Harry Gilmore third, Bengal fourth, Runnymede fifth, Apollo sixth, the rest tailed off. Pa.s.sing the stand Bruce and Harry Gilmore were head and head, a length in front of Babc.o.c.k third, Runnymede fourth, Bengal fifth, Apollo sixth, the rest out of the race. No change on the turn, but at the quarter Harry Gilmore was a half length in front of Bruce second, a length ahead of Runnymede third.

Before reaching the half Bruce, having shot his bolt, retired, Babc.o.c.k taking second place, Runnymede third, Bengal fourth, Apollo fifth. The five took closer order on the turn, and entering the stretch Harry Gilmore was a half length in front of Runnymede second, Babc.o.c.k and Apollo lapped, Bengal close up. Half way down it looked to be Runnymede's race, he running easy with his mouth wide open, and the shout went up that he would win, but inside the furlong pole he quit, and Apollo coming with a wet sail after a driving race won by a length, Runnymede second, two lengths ahead of Bengal third, followed by Harry Gilmore, Monogram, Babc.o.c.k, Wendover, Mistral, Wallensee, Pat Malloy colt, Highflyer, Newsboy, Bruce and Lost Cause in the order named. First half 51-1/2, first mile 1:46-1/4, mile from stand to stand 1:48-3/4, race 2:40-1/4.

SUMMARY

The Kentucky Derby, for three-year-olds, $100 entrance, half forfeit, $20 if declared May 1st, 1881; $40 if declared May 1st, 1882, with $1,500 added; second to have $200. 1-1/2 miles. 64 entries. Colts 105 lbs, fillies and geldings 102 lbs.

Morris & Patton's ch g Apollo by Ashstead or Lever dam. Rebecca T.

Price; 102 lbs., Hurd 1

Dwyer Bros.' br c Runnymede by Billet, dam Mercedes; 105 lbs., McLaughlin 2